azyeoman

C.M.G., Companion’s, neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, D.S.O. (VR), Q.S.A., 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Major Imp: Yeo:), K.S.A., 2 clasps, S.A.1901, S.A.1902 (Major Imp. Yeo.) Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Humby, D.S.O., Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, late commanding Dublin Imperial Yeomanry (Note: The D.S.O. is a fine, contemporary jewelers copy. The suspension is original and presumably the original badge parted company at some point.) Mounted for wear prior to the issue of his Great War medals C.M.G. London Gazette 3 June 1916. Entitled to a '15 Star Trio and MID emblem as Lt. Col. of the Sherwood Foresters. He landed in France on 30/08/1915. D.S.O. London Gazette 31 October 1902: ‘James Frederick Humby, Captain, 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry; Major, 3rd Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa. M.I.D. L.G. 15/11/1901 (Kitchener’s dispatch 8/10/1901 “The 74th (Irish) Squadron, ‘Imperial Yeomanry, under Captain Humby, behaved with great gallantry and determination. Though outnumbered by 400 Boers, who surrounded the convoy, and pressed to close •quarters, our men held their ground and offered such a stubborn resistance, that at nightfall the enemy abandoned the attack and withdrew. On the following day Captain Humby, who did not lose a single wagon, took his convoy safely into Griquatown, but his losses were extremely heavy. Nine men of the escort were killed, and 2 Officers and 21men were wounded.’ It was described as ‘At this point the reputation of the Imperial Yeomanry was once again saved by the outstanding bravery displayed by one of its units in the field, the gallant defense of a convoy at Rooikopjes, outside Griquatown, by men of the 74th (Dublin) Company on 24th August 1901. The two-mile-long convoy was transporting food to the remote town of Griquatown in the north-west of Cape Colony, which was surrounded by Boer commandos and in urgent need of supplies. The convoy was escorted by the 100 strong 74th Company, commanded by a Captain James Humby, who had himself been taken prisoner at Lindley the previous year. When the convoy was attacked by several hundred Boers, Captain Humby quickly laagered the wagons. At the same time, he ordered the Irish yeomanry to seize a ridge which overlooked the convoy and provide covering fire. This they did, holding it throughout the whole of the following night, during which they were involved in intense close- quarter fighting. During the defense of the convoy, the Dublin Company lost 7 men killed and 25 wounded, two of the wounded later dying.’ The Lindley Affair, the Capture of the 13th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry by the Boers. The 13th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, with two Colt guns, comprised the 47th Company (the Duke of Cambridge’s Own) under Capt C S Keith and the three Irish companies: the 46th under Capt R A Maude, the 54th under Capt J F Humby, and the 45th under Capt the Earl of Longford. After holding Lindley for 4 days against superior Boer odds and well capable of holding pending the arrival of a relief column the position fell by strange circumstance. Between the two koppies was a small post of a few men, one of whom decided to raise the white flag as a token of surrender. This man was shot by his comrades. Reinforcements from the 54th Company arrived, but it was too late to save the position. With the southern koppie already in Boer hands, Lt Robin, under the mistaken notion that he was bound by the white flag of his subordinate, ordered a ceasefire. This brought the valley in which the transport was parked into Boer hands. The remainder of the British position became untenable. Seeing the futility of further effort, Colonel Spragge also surrendered. Lord Longford, with the 45th Company to the north, and Capt Maude, with the 46th Company in the west, held out for a little longer but they too finally surrendered. All firing ceased at about 14.00. Originally Humby was held prisoner along with the other officers and men of the 13th were held at Airlie POW camp. On 13 August 1900 due to the awful conditions some 1,700 British prisoners were freed by Gen B.J. Viljoen. The 47 officers however were held and transported to Barberton. Humby is recorded as escaped at Nooitgedacht (some 120 miles from Barberton whilst presumably on route) on the 30th August, 1900. M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916. James Frederick Humby was born on 21 July 1860, son of Fred Peter Humby, of Southbroom, Devizes, Wiltshire. Educated in Paris, he joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, as Second Lieutenant, in 1891, and became Captain in 1896. He served in the South African War, 1900-2; commanded the 54th (Ulster) Imperial Yeomanry from February 1900. He took part in the operations in Orange Free State, February to May 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; operations in Orange River Colony and Cape Colony 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was taken prisoner at Lindley with the 13th Battalion, but escaped 30 August 1900. He became Major in 1901, and commanded the 74th (Dublin) Imperial Yeomanry from June 1901; 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry from May 1902. He was twice mentioned in dispatches; received the Queen’s Medal with four clasps; the King’s Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant Colonel J. F. Humby served in the European War in command of the 12th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment in France from 30 August 1915, and was created a C.M.G. in 1916 for his services, and personally decorated by King GV. During WWII he lived at Lamorna Cottage in Goldsithney, Cornwall. He died at age 83 in June 1943 and was buried in Perranuthnoe Parish Cemetery. The funeral was attended by members of the British Legion; Humby was Chairman of the Ruishp Branch. He had married Betha Elizabeth Rich-Jones (18/10/1861) in 1883 in Bradford upon Avon, and they had a daughter Moireen Freda Humby born in 1904. He was the son of Frederick Peter Humby (1833-1882) who was a brewer and Mary Ann Macklin. Interestingly, he was educated in Paris. Upon his father’s death, he and his brother took over the business and expanded it, then sold it to Wardworths in 1889 upon his brother’s death. He moved to Staffored, Stafffordshire with his money in 1890 where he purchased a new brewery. He was also elected as a member of the Conservative Party to be Mayer of Devizes in 1888 and 1889. This is a story of a family that rose through hard work and investments. His grandfather was a blacksmith, his father was a publican who then became a brewer. He married a farmer’s daughter and they had three daughters and two sons; James Frederick was obviously well educated, hardworking and courageous, and according to his obituary, he was a congenial man who took a sincere interest in veterans.

Another new Second Anglo-Boer War PoW pair. QSA: RoL, Paard, Drie - 2567 Pte. C. Eggerton. Glouc. Regt. KSA: SA01, SA02 - 2567 Pte. C. Eggerton. Glouc. Regt. PoW 23 Nov1900 - taken prisoner of war at Dewetsdorp while serving with the 2nd battalion; later released on 5 Dec 1900. Charles Eggerton enlisted on 2 February 1889. He was a laborer from Cheltenham. He was born in 1867 and the son of William and Mary Ann Eggerton. His father was a brick-maker and his mother was an ironer. He had two siblings: William (1865) and Rose (1869). Their address was 138 Queens Place, Cheltenham. Eggerton was stationed at Home from 2/2/2889 to 20/7/1891 and then to the East Indies from 21/2/1891 to 6/11./1892; Malta 7/11/1893 to 7/10/1895; Egypt 8/10/1895 to 14/2/1897; Home 10/2/1897 to 31/12/1899; South Africa 1/1/1900 to 4/2/1902; and home 5/2/1902 to 8/2/1902. His only medals were the QSA and KSA. He was discharged at the depot as "time expired" and was a Private he entire Army career.

Thanks Tony, These links look very promising! Cheers and all the very best, John

I've always found the Yata-no-Karasu badges most interesting due to the Three-legged Raven story in Japanese mythology. Here are the three I've recently acquired consisting of the Ordinary Member's Badge , the Supporting Member's badge and lastly the Tokubetsu type or Special Member's Badge with the green border around the central oval. According to Murphy and Ackley, the Tokubetsu was awarded to officers in the organization. They are all very well made with excellent enamel work.

Hi Tracy, I received the obidome today and there is no longer a circle. The seller must have polished it as now there is nothing there. It would have been interesting if there has been… alas…

Hi Tracy, Will do upon its arrival from Japan,

It appears to be a mark. Perhaps someone can tell what it means. 🤞🏻

Here’s another new obidome for an Aikokou Fujinkai Imprial Patriotic Women’s Association member.

Another new pair for the battle of Helvetia on 29 December 1900. QSA: CC, OFS, TR, LN, Bel - 70261 GNR G. PRANGLE 6th W.D. R.G.A. KSA: SA01, SA02 - 70261 GNR G. PRANGLE R.G.A. George Prangle was born in Southwick, near Fareham in Hampshire. He enlisted on 9 January 1889. He was captured along with 19 other men of the 6th W.D. RGA on 29 December at Helvetia and released later.

A most unusual PoW pair to a private serving in the Army Post Office Corps. QSA: CC, OFS, TR - 538 Pte C. A. Turner, A.P.O. Corps KSA: SA01, SA02 - 538 Corpl: C. A. Turner. A.P.O.C C. A. Turner was taken prisoner and was released on 14 June 1901 at Klerksdorp. Christopher Alexander Turner was born in 1880 and was the son of Frederick William and Sarah Turner. He was married to F.E. Turner and his address in WWI was 86 Leathwaite Rd., Battersea Rise, London. He enlisted in the R.E. Postal Section as 27825 sapper, and qualified for the 1914 Star on 6/10/1914. His next of kin were sent his 1914 Star & Bar trio with Plaque. Died at 34 years old on 8 November 1914. He is buried in grave 1.A.19. in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. If anyone knows the location of his WWI medals and plaque, please contact me as I would very much like to reunite them.

Another new QSA to a PoW. QSA: CC, OFS, TR, SA01, SA02 - 5674 L. Corpl W. Sharpe. Hampshire Regt This Q.S.A. was awarded to Corporal W. Sharpe, Hampshire Regiment, who taken prisoner near Doornfontein on 28 March 1902 but was released and re-joined his unit a fortnight later, his capture being recorded in Murray Crosby Jackson's memoir 'A Soldier's Diary' W. Sharpe was stationed with the 2nd Hampshires in March 1902, when they were involved in Guarding railway lines and other key posts; two companies were at Barberton but had been ordered back to Pretoria. The first left on 24 March and the other departed on the 30 March but was involved in the Barberton railway accident where over 40 were killed. There was a further Hampshire company with the 7th Mounted Infantry at the end of the war that was subsumed into the 27th Mounted Infantry, the last one to be formed, to give it experienced men. Sharpe was in the Mounted Infantry and was captured about 30 miles from Klerksdorp. He was kept about a fortnight and treated well. His capture, internment, and subsequent release are described in Murray Crosby Jackson's memoir A Soldier's Diary. "Another man named Sharpe fell out in the wood where I saw the two Boers, and as soon as he was left he was amongst the Boers. They were riding just behind us. We had passed within 300 yards of their laager, where they had three or four guns! He said they were in rather a stew - didn't know where to go - so kept following us to see where we were going. They took Sharpe's horse and made him ride on a gun carriage, so he got a beautiful view of proceedings. As I say, they followed us all night; and at daybreak, when we had got as far as we were going, and were extending to meet the columns on either side to drive back to the line, they dodged through some hilly country between our column and the next. probably we saw them and took them for our side. Sharpe said it was a near thing several times they would come round a hillock almost on to a company of ours, and dodge back and around the other side; and once they sat their horses in a clump in a steep hollow, expecting every movement to see our helmets over the rise, as they had seen a mob coming straight for them, but they went into the next kloof. of course, Sharpe was given to understand that to make any sign would not be health for him. They kept him a fortnight and treated him pretty well."

I've sold all of the above EXCEPT the PoWs for the AngloBoer War, and am still adding to my collection of 2ABW PoWs. Here's the latest. 2 BAR QSA, SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY, PRISONER OF WAR ABRAHAMSKRAAL 11-3-1901 QSA 1899-1902 With clasps for Cape Colony & Orange Free State to: 1401.2nd.CL.TPR.W.SMITH.S.A.C The recipient was taken prisoner of war near Abrahamskraal 11-3-1901 while serving with E Division of the South African Constabulary.

Canada General Service Medal clasp Fenian Raid 1866 394 Gnr J Biddle 10th Brigade RA Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Army Victoria 394 Gunner J Biddle 10th Bde RA With details here extracted from his on-line service record TNA WO97/1768 filed under his Coastal Brigade RA number 6288 and other on-line records. The Canada General Service Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal both officially impressed naming. John Biddle was born in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire in 1838 a Laborer, he attested for the Royal Artillery age 19 years on 1st December 1858 joining the 3rd Battalion Royal Artillery as Gunner. Transferring to the 10th Brigade 14th December 1858 and finally to the Coastal Brigade Royal Artillery 1st July 1877 serving in the forts around Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight until his discharge 18th May 1880 having completed 21 years and 170 days service. John served overseas in St John’s, New Brunswick 19th December 1861 to 3rd February 1862, Canada 4th February 1862 to 30th July 1867 and Malta 31st July 1867 to 7th November 1873. Awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with a £5 Gratuity in 1877 TNA WO102/13/1 refers, he was awarded the Canada General Service Medal clasp Fenian Raid for service with No 4 Battery, 10th Brigade Royal Artillery TNA WO100/110 Part 2 pages 19 and 194 refers, the Medal being sent to his home address 6 Horn Street, Sandgate, Kent. John served his entire service as a Gunner and was awarded his Fifth Good Conduct Badge 1st December 1879, a Very Good soldier he was never tried by Court Martial and was never entered in the Regimental Defaulter’s Book, he did not hold an Army Education Certificate. Awarded a pension on discharge of 18 shillings and 5 pence per week. John was admitted to the Royal Hospital Chelsea as an in-pensioner 27th October 1904, he stated his age as 64 years 11 months and previous address as 6 Horn Street, Shorncliffe Camp TNA WO23/178 refers. He was still alive in 1925 when his pension was increased for the last time. I can't find anything on what the 10th Bde RA did in Canada and any insight and information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. J

A very beautiful set. Congratulations!

It’s great and it’s good to know that others will enjoy them as much as I have and hopefully find new information on the medal recipients and the events they were involved in.