Three: Sergeant A. Denne, York & Lancaster Regiment

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (3331 Lce. Sgt. 2/Y. & Lancr. Regt); Ashanti 1900, no clasp (3331 Sgt., York & Lanc. Regt.), with second initial ‘H.’; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3331 Sjt., York & Lanc. Regt.), contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine and possibly a unique combination of awards (3) £800-1000

Believed to be one of just two men who qualified for both the British South Africa Company’s Medal and the Ashanti 1900 Medal.

Arthur Denne was born near Dover, Kent and enlisted in the York & Lancaster Regiment in April 1892, aged 25 years. Advanced to Corporal in the 2nd Battalion in May 1895, he served in the Rhodesia operations of 1896 and was appointed Lance-Sergeant in July of the latter year. Having then been advanced to Sergeant in February 1897, he was attached to the Staff of the West African Regiment in September 1899 and served in the Ashanti operations of 1900. Discharged in May 1908, having failed to fulfil Army Medical Requirements, he appears to have emigrated to West Africa, but on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914 he rejoined his old regiment and served in the U.K. as a Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant in the 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th (Reserve / Training) Battalions. Discharged as ‘unfit for further war service in November 1917’, he was awarded the Silver War Badge.