Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Gunnedah and District Boer War Tribute Medal, a mounted trooper below crossed swords; reverse inscribed, ‘S. Africa Active Service 1900-1 Presented to W. O. Arnold, D.S.M. (sic) by the Residents of Gunnedah and District’, 35 x 29mm., 15ct. gold, extremely fine, rare £1200-1500

Not listed in Hibbard.

Herbert Arnold, from Gunnedah, New South Wales, was the Squadron Sergeant-Major of the N.S.W.-based 1st Australian Horse which sailed for South Africa from Newcastle on 14 November 1899. During Lieutenant-General French’s advance after crossing the Zand River, the Australians were given the task of capturing the nearby ridge of Vredes Verdrag. Heavy Boer resistance saw the Scots Greys and Inniskillings sent in to restore the situation but at a heavy cost. Arnold was involved in the action and it was probably for this that he was mentioned by Lord Roberts for meritorious services performed, and also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery (London Gazette 27 September 1901). This D.C.M. is an unique award to the Australian Horse for the Boer War.

Arnold returned from the war in January 1901 and in addition to the D.C.M. was awarded the Queen’s medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. These two medals were sold in the Noble Numismatics sale of 18-20 November 1997. In addition Arnold was awarded a medal from his fellow citizens of Gunnedah. A plaque commemorating those men of Gunnedah, including Arnold, who served in the war, was unveiled at Kitchener Park, Gunnedah, on 27 February 2002.

The medal is accompanied by a well presented folder of copied research.