Lot Archive

Lot

№ 445

.

30 March 2011

Hammer Price:
£520

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Belmont, Modder River (2723 Corl. H. Brown, Gren. Gds.) good very fine
£250-300

2723 Lance-Sergeant H. Brown, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, was mortally wounded at the battle of Modder River, 28 November 1899; he died of his wounds on the following day. For his bravery under fire, he was mentioned in Lord Methuen’s despatch of 1 December 1899:

‘Grenadier Guards (3rd Batn.) - Major Count Gleichen, C.M.G., showed coolness throughout the engagement, especially in attending to the wounded under heavy fire. Sgt. Brown and Pte. Martin, who helped him, were both shot. ...’

The battalions casualties at Modder River amounted to 3 officers wounded and 8 other ranks killed and 30 wounded. With copied roll extracts (listed as ‘Browne’ in published casualty roll).