Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4606 Pte. J. Warren. 5/Lcrs.) very fine £500-£700

William John Warren was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and attested for the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers at Canterbury in January 1895. He served with the Regiment in India from November 1896 to March 1898, and in South Africa between March 1898 and July 1900 and October 1901 and April 1902. One of the two squadrons of the regiment present at Elandslaagte took part in the famous charge on 21 October 1899. As the Boers mounted their horses and started to retreat, the 5th Lancers charged them three times as darkness was setting in. Many Boers were cut down and two field guns were captured, with total enemy casualties of around 350. Warren was discharged on 27 January 1907, having served for 12 years with the Colours.

Warren resided in Holloway, London after service and re-engaged with his old regiment at Highbury during the Great War. He served with the Regiment on the Western Front (entitled to BWM and VM), and was killed in action aged 41 during the first day of the Second Battle of Arras on 9 April 1917. Private Warren is buried in the Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, Pas de Calais, France.

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