Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Staff Serjeant G. Melton, Army Service Corps

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast 5768 S-Sejt., A.S.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (5768 S. Serjt., A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (5768 St.-Serjt., A.S.C.) contact marks, very fine (3) £300-350

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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George Melton was born in Haddenam, Cambridgeshire. A Baker by occupation, he attested for the Army Service Corps London on 11 October 1884, aged 19 years. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in March 1889, Corporal in March 1892, Sergeant in January 1898, Staff Sergeant in May 1900 and finally to Staff Quarter Master Sergeant in January 1903. He served in Natal, May 1891-July 1896 and returned to South Africa for the Boer War in September 1899, finally leaving for home in January 1903. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1903 and he earned both the Queen’s medal with 4 clasps and the King’s medal with 2 clasps. He saw action Talana, Laing’s Nek and Belfast and served in Ladysmith during the siege. The garrison strength of the Army Service Corps during the siege was 5 officers and 96 men. He took his discharge from the Army in Belfast in October 1905 having served for 20 years, intending to return to Norfolk. His conduct on discharge was assessed as exemplary. With copied service papers, roll extracts and other research. 16 ‘Talana’ clasps to A.S.C.