An unusual ‘double issue’ group of five awarded to Sergeant Major Instructor J. N. Grobler, Union Defence Force

British War Medal 1914-20 (Sjt. Instr. J. N. Grobler. S.M. Staf.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Sjt. Instr. J. N. Grobler. S.M. Staf.); War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, both officially impressed ‘170104 J. N. Grobler.’; Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (1046 S/M/I. J. N. Grobler. S.A.I.C.) good very fine (5) £200-£240

Johannes Nicolas Grobler was born at Ermelo on 28 November 1892, the son of Vechtgeneraal J. N. H. Grobler, and was educated at Stellenbosch University. He joined the South African Defence Force in 1914, and served during the Great War and subsequently with the 13th Mounted Rifles during the Rand Strike of 1922 - according to the police files, his horse was shot from under him and he was slightly injured.

For most of his military career Grobler served as a small arms instructor, and did duty with the Special Service Battalion in Roberts Heights, Pretoria. Discharged as medically unfit in 1937, he saw further service at home during the Second World War as an instructor with the Tank Corps.

Grobler married Miss Olive Chew on 2 February 1926, and died at Middleburg, Transvaal, on 9 November 1958.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s father, see Lot 147; and for the medals awarded to the recipient’s wife and other family members, see Lots 187 and 443.