A rare Boer War pair awarded to Lance-Corporal R. A. Golding, Royal Engineers, ‘a skilled balloonist’ who served in No. 1 Balloon Section

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Belfast (2851 Sapr. R. A. Golding, R.E.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2851 Sapr. R. A. Golding, R.E.), generally very fine (2)
£400-500

Richard Arthur Golding was born in Kentish Town, London and enlisted in the Royal Engineers in June 1899, aged 24 years. Shortly thereafter, he witnessed active service in South Africa, serving in No. 3 Field Troop, R.E. from June 1900, which was formed from No. 2 Balloon Section after the relief of Ladysmith, and in No. 1 Balloon Section, until the end of hostilities, and at the time of his transfer to the Army Reserve in March 1905, in the rank of Lance-Corporal, he was described as a ‘skilled balloonist’. Recalled on the outbreak of hostilities, Golding was embarked for France in early September 1915, but was discharged in June 1916 and awarded the Silver War Badge.