Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Private W. Bant, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (4471 Pte., 1st Bn. K. R. Rifle Corps), official correction to naming; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, South Africa 1901 (4471 Pte., K.R.R.C.), last clasp a copy, mounted as worn; together with a Birmingham Tribute Medal 1899-1902, gilt white metal, unnamed, complete with brooch bar, good very fine and better (3) £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 60th Rifles and King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

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William Bant was born in Birmingham on 7 April 1869. A Brass Founder by occupation, he attested for service with the K.R.R.C. at Birmingham on 7 April 1888, aged 19 years, having previously served with the 4th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. With the 1st Battalion he served in India, November 1890-February 1896, taking part in the Isazai Expedition 1892 and serving in the Chitral Relief Force 1895. He then served in the Boer War, December 1899-April 1901. He was discharged on 17 July 1901 at the termination of his first period of engagement.

During his period of service in the Boer War he kept a diary covering the period, 12 December 1899-1 April 1901. The diary, written in a small notebook, 97 x 51mm., in small neat script. The notebook has a repaired leather cover. Sold with a full typescript. Also with copied service papers.

‘8th January 1900. Turned out at half past four, firing going on K.R.R. and R. Bde. are made into camp site. Battalion under Stuart-Wortley inspected by General Lyttleton. Mr Winston Churchill in camp’.

‘27th February 1900. Escort to 4.7˝ Naval gun. We hear of Cronje surrender. Cheering all round position. Moved on the heights to cover the right flank of position. Fearful battle this day - Majuba Day - slept by pontoon bridge’.

‘29th May 1900. Skirmished to States Drift. Forded river into Transvaal for the first time. Saw the enemy in the distance. No fighting. Plenty of sport with fowl and pig. One of ours caught an Ostrich - had to hand it to an officer - not allowed to loot - not Tommy’.

‘26th September 1900. Few Boers in the hills, guns shell them out. Stop at mine Mooi River supposed poisoned - did not matter - drank it.’

‘25th December 1900. Christmas Day. Roast meat and duff and a drop of - oh my dear teetotallers - 3 bottles of lemonade’.