Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce British South Africa Company’s 1890-97 Medal awarded to Private F. Hutley, West Riding Regiment who, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Occupation of Matabeleland in 1953, was presented with the very rare “Pioneer Axe

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Matabeleland 1893, no clasp (1614 Pte. F. Hutley, 2nd W. Rid. Regt.), with lid of original card box of issue, nearly extremely fine, together with related 40th Anniversary of the Occupation of Matabeleland 1893-1933 commemorative medallion, bronze, and Matabeleland 1893 miniature presentation “Pioneer Axe”, silver, officially numbered ‘29’ and engraved, ‘F. E. H. 1893 Column’, together with related presentation certificates from 1953, in red leather wallet, this last gilt inscribed, ‘Fred Ernest Hutley’ (Lot) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of British South Africa Company 1890-97 Medals.

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Collection

Just 53 such Medals were awarded to the West Riding Regiment.

Fred Ernest Hutley was born in Stansted, Essex in November 1868 and enlisted in the West Riding Regiment in November 1885, aged 17 years. Having then served in Bermuda, Barbados and Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was embarked for South Africa in April 1893, and was present in the Matabeleland operations as a member of the 2nd Battalion, attached ‘C’ Troop, Bechuanaland Border Police, under Captain Watson. Transferred to the Army Reserve on returning home in October 1894, Hutley was finally discharged in November 1897, but on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Occupation of Matabeleland in 1953, his services to the colony were rewarded by the presentation of one of just 41 “Pioneer Axes” in silver (George VI being another) - the accompanying certificate being signed by V. N. Kennedy, the Governor of Southern Rhodesia. Hutley died in Ruislip, Middlesex in May 1957; sold with research, including a copied photograph of the recipient in old age.