Orders, Decorations and Medals

Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Cpl. R. L. Acutt, Natal Mtd. Rifles) edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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Corporal R. L. Acutt, Natal Mounted Rifles, was the subject of the action for which Captain A. G. H. Blamey was recommended for the Victoria Cross but for which he received a ‘mention’ for distinguished conduct in the field as published in the Natal Gazette on 26 June 1906

In the action at Nkomo Hill, on the 5th May, 1906, at the risk of his own life, rescued Corporal Arnott (sic) from a perilous situation. The latter had become detached from his troop and being unable to mount, would certainly have fallen into the hands of the enemy but for Lieutenant Blarney's timely assistance

Captain W. A. Campbell, Natal Mounted Rifles, in a letter written in November, 1953, recalls the incident thus:

Captain Garnet Blamey was O.C. Verulam Troop N.M.R. and was in a column under Col. Dymock of the Natal Mounted Police. On their way through Zululand, they were to join forces with other regiments for the big drive. Blamey was sent up a hill with his troops to reconnoitre as the O.C. felt that there might be an ambush. He finally got to the top with his troop and saw the Natives very well hidden in long grass and they were immediately attacked with assegais and guns. He gave signal to retire and on looking back saw Trooper Acutt surrounded by Natives and trying to mount his startled horse. The Natives were actually on the point of killing him but Blamey galloped back scattering the Natives with his horse, picked Acutt up right under the point of the assegais and threw him across his saddle and galloped off followed by a shower of missiles. Both escaped injury by a miracle. The Natives were all around him as he galloped through with Acutt and he had to jump a line of Nongqai [Native Police] who were covering the troop and he and Acutt managed to get back to safety

Major Dymock of the Natal Police considered it was an outstanding act of valour on the part of Captain Blarney and he with other officers, sent in a report to the General Officer Commanding, General Dartnell, recommending that he be awarded the Victoria Cross.