Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3475 Tpr. J. Murphy, Kitchener’s Horse) edge bruising, very fine £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Boer War Medals.

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J. Murphy enlisted on 3 February 1900. Serving with Kitchener’s Horse, he was captured at De Kiel’s Drift on 13 February 1900 and held for a time as a prisoner-of-war. Having been released, he was discharged as medically unfit on 17 August 1900. With copied discharge papers and details of the above action.

Murphy was a member of a squadron of Kitchener’s Horse detailed to guard a farm and its well near the Reit River during the advance of General French’s forces upon Kimberley. The troopers found themselves cut off and besieged there for four days by some 400 Boers. The 50 troopers soon ran out of food and their horses died of starvation. On the fourth day General De Wet arrived with two artillery pieces. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the starved and exhausted troopers surrended when called upon to do so on 13 February 1900.