Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare and emotive “Transkei” Cape of Good Hope and British South Africa Company 1890-97 Medal pair awarded to Lieutenant A. Steward, Bulawayo Field Force, late Cape Mounted Rifles and Salisbury Horse, an original “Pioneer” who later made his way to Canada during the famous Klondike gold rush of 1896-98 and, in common with all of his fellow passengers, was lost when the S.S. Princess Sophia struck a reef off Lynn Canad in October 1918 - among the possessions recovered from his body were ‘2 South Africa Medals

Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 2 clasps, Transkei, Basutoland (Pte. A. Steward, C. M. Rifn.); British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Matabeleland 1893, 1 clasp, Rhodesia 1896 (Troop Sergt. Major A. Steward, Salisbury Horse), good very fine or better and rare (2) £1400-1600

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

Ex Richard Magor Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, 2 July 2003 (Lot 411).

Augustine Steward was born in Hammersmith, London, about 1862, the son of a dock worker.

A confirmed participant in the Transkei and Basutoland operations of 1880-81, as a Private in the Cape Mounted Riflemen, he also served in the original Pioneer Column as a Corporal (No. 156), but never claimed his 1890 Medal. Subsequently present in the battles at Shangani and Bambesi in the 1893 Rebellion, as a Troop Sergeant-Major in the Salisbury Horse, he witnessed further action in the 1896 Rebellion, initially as a Trooper in ‘B’ Troop of the Bulawayo Mounted Police, and latterly as a Lieutenant in ‘E’ Troop of the Bulawayo Field Force.

Having spent time in Rhodesia as a one-time prospector, hotelier, printer and stockbroker, he departed for Canada during the famous Klondike gold rush of 1896-98, when tens of thousands made their way to Dawson city in the Yukon Territory to seek their fortune - a hazardous journey involving the ascent of either the Chilkoot or White Passes and a 500 mile boat or raft trip down the Yukon. Moreover, perspective “stampeders” had to satisfy assorted regulations enforced by the North West Mounted Police, including possession of a year’s supply of goods, but none of these challenges appears to have thwarted Steward’s ambitions - indeed he became a pillar of the local community at Dawson city and an active Freemason.

Tragically, however, in common with all of his fellow passengers and the ship’s crew, he was lost in the Canadian Pacific steamship Princess Sophia on 25 October 1918, when she struck a reef off Lynn Canad, while on passage to Vancouver - in all, 278 passengers and 65 crew perished, an all the more tragic loss given that rescue ships were at hand but unable to get boats across to the wreck on account of the prevailing storm.

Steward’s body was among those recovered, official records listing his possessions as assorted paperwork, a gold watch and chain, and ‘2 South Africa Service Medals’ - but for his early demise, he might in later life have applied for the “Pioneer’s Medal”.

Steward’s remains were buried at Juneau, Alaska, contemporary records further noting that his next of kin had been traced, a brother living at Southend-on-Sea - who, no doubt, was sent the above described Medals in the fullness of time; sold with full research.