A rare Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Sergeant C. Mew, Royal Engineers, who served in No. 2 and 3 Balloon Sections and was twice mentioned in despatches

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (20944 Serjt. C. Mew, R.E.), contact marks and polished, thus good fine £400-500

Charles Mew was born in Ryde on the Isle of Wight and enlisted in the Royal Engineers in May 1886, aged 18 years. Advanced to Corporal in July 1896 and to Sergeant in July 1899, he also qualified as an Engine Driver in March 1898.

Embarked for South Africa, he served in No. 3 Field Troop, R.E., which was formed from No. 2 Balloon Section after the relief of Ladysmith, and in No. 3 Balloon Section, until the end of hostilities, and was twice mentioned in despatches - by Sir Redvers Buller’s in his despatch dated 9 November 1900 ‘as particularly deserving’ (London Gazette 8 February 1901), and by Lord Kitchener in his despatch dated 8 July 1901 (London Gazette 20 August 1901), this last after being specially brought to notice by the Adjutant-General, Pretoria, for ‘good service in Eastern Transvaal during Lieutenant-General French’s operations in February-April 1901’, which distinction appeared in Lord Kitchener’s despatch dated 8 July 1901 (London Gazette 20 August 1901).

Also awarded the King’s Medal & 2 clasps and, in July 1904, the L.S. & G.C. Medal, Mew was finally discharged as a Company Sergeant-Major in May 1907.