Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Ladysmith (21348 Gnr. H. Hindes, 66th Bty. R.F.A.) nearly extremely fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the Boer War formed by Doug Jenkins.

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Henry Hindes was born at Upper Wallop, near Andover, Hampshire, in 1876, and attested for the Royal Artillery in July 1897. He served with 66th Battery, Royal Field Artillery in South Africa, and was killed in action at Colenso on 15 December 1899, on which occasion 14th and 66th Batteries were galloped too close to the Boers and in advance of the infantry by Colonel Long, the ‘damned gunner’ that Buller subsequently blamed for his defeat. In the face of withering fire from the Boers across the river, officers and men fought their guns to the last, numerous acts of gallantry being enacted until most had been killed or wounded - and their seven guns stood abandoned on the veldt. Buller asked for volunteers to save the guns and in the ensuing acts of heroism, six Victoria Crosses were won, including that by Lieutenant the Hon. F. H. S. Roberts, the son of Field-Marshal the Lord Roberts of Kandahar.