Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Jameson Raider’s’ group of three awarded to Captain M. L. Cole, South African Constabulary, late Bechuanaland Border Police

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Matabeleland 1893, no clasp ([.....], M. L. Cole, B.B. Police), rank erased (roll gives ‘Troop Sergt-Major’); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt., S.A.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt., S.A.C.) good very fine (3) £800-1000

Mansel Crawford Cole entered the Bechuanaland Police as a Trooper in 1889. In 1895 as Troop Sergeant-Major, ‘K’ Troop Bechuanaland Border Police, he took part in the ‘Jameson Raid’ of 1895 and was taken prisoner. After being released he left the corps and went to Mafeking, taking charge of the transport for Major Goold-Adams in Barotseland for 15 months. Returning to Mafeking in 1897 he then took charge of his father’s mills and produce business. With the onset of the Boer War he joined the Protectorate Regiment and later served with the South African Constabulary. His Q.S.A. clasps are confirmed in the published ‘Relief of Mafeking’ roll, where he is listed as a Captain in the ‘C’ Eastern Division, S.A.C. and as a Lieutenant in the Protectorate Regiment. Immediately after the war, he was for several years in command of the military depot at Heidelberg, and was latterly Compound Manager at the Clydesdale Colliery.

Sold with a fascinating array of original documents, including: a typed ‘Record of Captain Cole’; booklet, Dr. Jameson’s Ride to Johannesburg; recipient’s Railway Permit for Civilians, July 1902; his calling card and ‘Soldiers’ Club, Cape Town members card; a photograph of the recipient in uniform wearing his medals; another in civilian dress in later life; two group photographs and another of the recipient and members of his family at Heidelberg, Transvaal; a ‘Bravo Mafeking’ badge, and three ‘Martial Law’ permits. Also with a number of B.S.A. Co. Telegraphs to Cole, December 1899-January 1900, as O.C. Magalapye, including one from ‘Garroway’ listing the officers and men killed, wounded and taken prisoner in the action at Game Tree - a sortie from Mafeking, 26 December 1899; two memoranda addressed to Cole and a letter to him from Mafeking, just prior to the siege, dated 7 October 1899.

Together with a number of documents relating to the recipient’s father, Mansel Lawford Cole. Including: Apprentice’s Indenture, September 1856; Certificate of Competency as Second Mate, July 1861; a handwritten journal of the voyage of the Lady of the Lake, 1861-62; Certificate of Discharge from the Lady of the Lake, Port Natal, April 1862; Certificates of Character and Discharge (2).