Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Boer War ‘Defence of Ladysmith’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal T. Edmondson, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. ((1062 L. Corpl., K.R.R.C.) surname spelt ‘Edmonson’ on this medal; British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1897 (8011 Pte., 3/K.R.R. Corps); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (1062 Pte., K.R.R.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (1062 Pte., K.R.R.C.) nearly extremely fine and a rare group (4) £1500-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection formed by Peter Wardrop.

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See Colour Plate I

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Thomas Edmondson was born in Liverpool. He served with the Mounted Infantry Section of the 3rd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the Rhodesian Campaign of 1896, subsequently transferring to the British South Africa Police for the campaign in Mashonaland during 1897, before re-enlisting back into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 3 August 1898. On the 13 May 1899 he was posted with the 1st Battalion for service in South Africa, where he served for three years. During this time he was awarded the D.C.M. and advanced to the rank of Lance Corporal for his distinguished services during the Defence of Ladysmith (most probably during the action at Wagon Hill). He was also twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 15 February 1901 and 16 September 1901). Sold with photostat copies from the Battalion War Diary which state: ‘Lance Corporal T. Edmondson, D. Company wishes to be reverted to Private at his own request. The C.O. wishes to place on record his appreciation of the good work done by this n.c.o. with the M.I. Coy. during the siege.’