Pair: Driver W. J. Mason, “M” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Orange Free State, Transvaal (32045 Dvr: W. J. Mason, M Bty: R.H.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (32045 Dvr: W. J. Mason. R.H.A.) nearly very fine and very scarce (2) £400-£500

William James Mason was born at Leamington, Warwickshire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Birmingham on 7 December 1898, aged 18 years 10 months, a groom by trade. He was posted to the Depot Battery R.H.A. on 24 January 1899, and to “M” Battery R.H.A. on 24 January 1899. He served with “M” Battery in South Africa from 17 February 1900, and was with the two sections of the battery that served with the Flying Column in the relief of Mafeking. He transferred to “O” Battery R.H.A. on 6 November 1900, and was invalided to England on 2 October 1902. He was finally discharged from “A” Battery (The Chestnut Troop) at Woolwich on 26 September 1906, ‘having been found medically unfit for further service’; ‘conduct very good, has been an officer’s groom for some time.’ Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll confirmation.