Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Major W. A. B. Russwürm, Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts, late Bulawayo Field Force and Natal Mounted Rifles

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896 (Sergt., “G” Troop B.F.F.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (317 Capt., Natal M.R.) naming partially re-impressed; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Cpt. & Adjt., Kitchnr. F. Scts.) very fine and better (3) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals relating to the Boer War formed by two brothers.

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William Arthur Blennerhassett Russwürm served as a Lieutenant firstly in the Lincolnshire Regiment and then in the Sherwood Foresters, 1887-89. Some time after resigning from his regiment he moved to South Africa. There he was a Sergeant in “G” Troop of the Bulawayo Field Force during the Matabele Rebellion of 1896. He then served as a Lieutenant in the British South Africa Police, as Warder of Johannesburg Old Gaol and in the Customs Department. During the Boer War he was mobilised on 2 September 1899 as a Sergeant in the Natal Mounted Rifles. Later commissioned; with them he saw action at Elandslaagte, the defence of Ladysmith and Laing’s Nek, and in operations in the Orange Free State and Transvaal. He was discharged on 1 October 1900 and re-enlisted the same day, serving briefly as Squadron Sergeant-Major in the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment (No. 12). By December 1900 he was a Lieutenant in the 1st Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts. Promoted to Captain in March 1901, he transferred to the 2nd Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts during the following month. With them he served in operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. He was discharged in July 1902. During the Great War he served under a less Germanic name, as William Arthur Russell Blennerhasset, as a Major in the 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. Latterly he was employed as a Major with the 17th Battalion (Territorial) Essex Regiment. He relinquished his commission, retaining the rank of Major in February 1919. For his wartime services he was awarded the 1914-15 Star trio (not with lot). Russwürm/Blennerhassett died in Jamaica c.January 1930. With copied roll extracts, m.i.c. and other research.