The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Lieutenant William Henry Tucker Hill, 5th Lancers, who was killed in action at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, on 6 January 1900

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (Lieut. W. H. T. Hill, 5/Lancers) slight scratch to obverse left field, some edge bruising, good very fine £2500-3000

William Henry Tucker Hill was born in May 1873, the son of James Ledger Hill, of Combe Grove, Bath. Educated at Charterhouse, he entered the 5th Lancers from the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment in 1895. He served with his regiment in South Africa during the operations around Elandslaagte and Ladysmith. On 20 October 1899, a cavalry reconnaissance force under Major-General French was ordered by General White to advance towards Elandslaagte. Commanding the advance guard of 5th Lancers was Lieutenant Hill. His men were responsible for capturing two Boer patrols who rode out to them thinking they were Boers, and from them and other informants it was learnt that Elandslaagte was held only by a small number of enemy troops. The following day, Lieutenant Hill took an active part in the battle of Elandslaagte, commanding one of the squadrons of the 5th Lancers that charged the Boers at the end of the engagement.

The day after the battle, Elandslaagte was evacuated and Hill subsequently found himself within besieged Ladysmith. On 6 January 1900, at Wagon Hill, he came up with a dismounted party to assist the 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and was struck down while asking his Captain, who was wounded, to allow him and his men to join the Devons, who were at that moment about to make their famous charge. When his Captain turned to reply, he found Hill had been killed.

Lieutenant Hill, who was interred at Wagon Hill, is commemorated on the tablet in the War Memorial Cloister at Charterhouse.