Three: Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant G. E. D. Mirfield, 7th Dragoon Guards

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (2858, S.S. Far: G. E. Mirfield, 7/D.G.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2858 S.Serjt:- Far: G. E. Mirfield. 7th. Drgn: Gds:); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2858 Far. S. Sjt. G. E. Mirfield. 7th. Drgn. Gds.); together with a Royal Military Tournament Prize Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘S.Far. Mirfield-7th. D.G. First Prize Sword v. Sword -E.D.M.T. -1897-’; and a Boxing Prize Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘New Entry Winner’, minor contact marks, good very fine (5) £240-280

George Ernest David Mirfield was born at Headingley, Leeds, on 8 November 1867 and attested for the 7th Dragoon Guards at York on 8 April 1885, having previously served in the 1st West Yorkshire Artillery Volunteers. He joined the Regiment at Mhow, India, on 7 October 1886 and was appointed Shoeing Smith on 30 November 1889, being promoted Sergeant Farrier on 30 November 1890. He proceeded with the Regiment to Egypt in March 1893, and was promoted Staff Sergeant Farrier on 30 November 1893. After returning home on 12 November 1894, Mirfield departed with the Regiment for South Africa on 8 February 1900, for service in the Boer War, and was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch of 29 November 1900 (London Gazette 10 September 1901). He remained in South Africa after the cessation of hostilities, returning home with the Regiment on 9 August 1904, and was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal the following year. He was promoted to his ultimate rank of Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant on 8 April 1905, and was discharged at Canterbury on 7 April 1906, after 21 years’ service.

Following the outbreak of the great War, Mirfield re-enlisted into the Army Veterinary Corps, Territorial Force, at Doncaster on 1 October 1914, and was promoted to Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant the same day. Posted initially to his old Regiment, he transferred to the 4th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, based at Tidworth, on 12 January 1915, and then to the 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, also based at Tidworth, on 12 February 1917. He was promoted to Warrant Officer Class II on 24 June 1918, and was demobilised on 3 July 1919. He did not serve overseas and so was not entitled to any medals for the Great War. He died in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, on 26 April 1927.

Sold with the recipient's Parchment Certificate of Discharge; Parchment Certificate of Character on Discharge; Certificate of Transfer to Reserve; five photographs of the recipient; and a small booklet presented to the recipient and his wife on their wedding day.