Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

Pair: Private J. H. Hazzard, Wiltshire Regiment, who was taken prisoner in the disastrous action at Rensburg in February 1900
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (5231 Pte. J. H. Hazard, 2nd Wilts. Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5321 Pte. T. Hazzard, Wiltshire Regt.), note erroneous initial, together with Army Temperance Association Medals (2), and a rarely seen Wiltshire Regiment Temperance Medal in the form of a regimental badge, all in silver, minor official correction to surname on the second, contact marks, nearly very fine or better

Five: Private I. R. Hazzard, Wiltshire Regiment
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (5567719 Pte. I. R. Hazzard, Wilts. R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, these good very fine (10) £220-250

John Hazzard, who was born in Woodford, near Salisbury, originally enlisted in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, in November 1895, aged 17 years, but appears to have purchased his discharge in April 1897.

Be that as it may, he was recalled for service in the 2nd Battalion in South Africa where, on 14 February 1900, he was taken prisoner in the disastrous action at Rensburg, when casualties amounted to 14 killed, including Major MacMullen, 45 wounded, and altogether 130 officers and men made prisoners. A glimpse of the action and of subsequent events may be found in the following extract taken from a special correspondent’s report in the Cape Times, who said:

“Speaking of the Wiltshire disaster reminds me of several things I wish to bring before the notice of the public. The Wilts, as will be remembered, were retreating to Arundel, and in the hurry 150 men, under Major Stock, were left behind. These men, marching from near Rensberg siding in the direction of Arundel, came in contact with the Boers; in fact, mistook the Boer camp for the British camp. For more than two hours these gallant men fought against overwhelming odds, and not until their ammunition was exhausted did they surrender. The Boers themselves admitted that the Wilts had beaten a manly retreat and had shown splendid fight. The Wiltshire prisoners, I regret to state, were badly treated by the Boer authorities.

They were marched from beyond Rensberg in the broiling sun to town. Pausing through Church Street, several of the men dropped down from fatigue and had a drink of water from the furrow passing down the main street. In the Town Hall, where they were confined prior to being marched on to Bloemfontein, two huge buckets of mealie-pap had been placed for their supper, and no cup was provided wherewith the contents could be baled out. Suffice it to say, the buckets and contents were abandoned for the more palatable niceties sent them by some Colesberg ladies. In connection with this supper I must there make special mention of the kindness of Mrs. Porter, of this town, who not only on that occasion but on frequent occasions subsequently, contributed most liberally to the wants of the soldiers. From the Court House, where we were imprisoned, we could just catch a glimpse of the Wiltshire men, about 100, more or less, who had the run of the back yard of the Town Hall.

The following morning the Wilts were marched on to the Free State, via Norval's Pont. The day was rather more pleasant than the previous one, it threatening rain all day. Before leaving the Town Hall the Wilts were presented with a copy of the good Book by the Rev G. Scholtz, Dutch Reformed parson. Crowds of ladies and gentlemen lined Church Street, in order to catch a last glimpse of the Wiltshires. The men all seemed in excellent spirits, owing probably not so much to the scanty food provided by the authorities as to the abundance of spiritual comfort they had received for the journey.”

Hazzard was released on Lord Roberts taking Pretoria and joined the 1st Battalion on his return to the U.K.; sold with a quantity of research, including much detail on the action at Rensburg.