The Q.S.A. awarded to Sergeant D. P. Kingsford, 1st City of London Rifle Volunteers and City of London Imperial Volunteers, who was killed in action at Brandfort on 3 May 1900, one of only two men from the Mounted Infantry, C.I.V. to be killed during the Boer War

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein (938 Sgt. D. P. Kingsford, C.I.V.) extremely fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

View
Collection

Dudley Perring Kingsford, the third son of Dr. C. Dudley and Mrs Kingsford, of Capel Lodge, Whetstone, was born in 1868 in Hackney, London. A clerk by occupation, he joined the 1st City of London Rifle Volunteers in 1886 and served in South Africa with the 1st Mounted Infantry Company, City Imperial Volunteers, during the Boer War.

An article in the City Press on 21 April 1900, quoting a Daily Telegraph correspondent, mentions the C.I.V.’s first engagement with the Boers at Jacobsdaal and Kingsford’s part in the rearguard action which followed at Riet River:
‘Coming to the C.I.V.’s first experience of real warfare at Jacobsdaal, the writer records that the part which they took in that little affair was an honourable one; and on the same day a section of the corps was engaged in a rearguard action in connection with the capture of the big convoy of 200 wagons at Riet River. At the latter there were only about twenty of the Lord Mayor’s Own present, under the command of Sergeant Kingsford of the London Rifle Brigade; but I am assured they fought in such valiant style as to earn the commendation of Lord Roberts and General Wavell.’

Sergeant Kingsford was killed in action by a shell on 3 May 1900 at Brandfort. A letter from Private G. Gaskill, (C.I.V. and 3rd Middx. R.V.) published in the City Press, 6 June 1900, describes the circumstances:
‘Last Thursday (3rd ult.) we were in action once more, and had some close shaves. We noted an advance guard and about noon were sent to reconnoitre some kopjes on our right front. As we were crossing between two of them a terrific shell fire was poured into us, several shells bursting on my left and nearly upsetting me, but by good luck I did not get hit. They were chiefly pom poms, and if you get hit with one it can make a beastly mess of you. We however, galloped to a small kopje and took shelter behind it. As we were doing this No. 3 section were following us up when the fire was turned into them, and poor Sergeant Kingsford and Private Holland were killed. Kingsford was struck by a shell below the heart, and died within a few minutes, and Holland was riddled with bullets from shrapnel shell.’

Another account of Kingsford’s death, written by Corporal R. W. Waters (see Lot 453), was published in the same copy of the City Press. Other references can be found in letters by Privates J. Paynter and G. Hardy in the City Press editions of 13 June 1900 and 20 June 1900 respectively.

In a letter published in the City Press 21 July 1900, Sergeant T. W. Vine states ‘We buried Sgt. Kingsford’s body in the small graveyard at Zwefontein, with full military honours, the scene was very impressive.’ Walter Woodford in his diary, published under the title ‘C.I.V.M.I. South Africa 1900, “L” Co. At the Front’ also describes these events and concludes ‘We afterwards erected a rough cross in his memory with the words, “Sergt. Kingsford, C.I.V.M.I., killed in action Zuurfontein, May 3, 1900”.’

Sergeant D. P. Kingsford and Private Holland (see Lot 461) were the only two men of the Mounted Infantry, C.I.V. to be killed during the war. £100 was paid by the C.I.V. fund to Mrs B. F. Kingsford, Capel Lodge, Whetstone on 17 May 1900 and a tablet in commemoration of Sergeant Kingsford in All Saints, Whetstone, was unveiled by Colonel Cholmondeley in May 1901, the ceremony being attended by the whole of ‘N’ Company, London Rifle Brigade.