Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine ‘Union of South Africa’ M.V.O. and Boer War D.S.O. group of eight awarded to Major R. F. S. Grant, Rifle Brigade

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., 4th class, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘806’; Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, suspension rings soldered together; Union of South Africa Medal 1910, unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, Orange Free State (Lieut., Rifle Bde.) some bad cuts to edge and bruising; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt., D.S.O., Rifle Bde.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt., D.S.O., M.V.O., Rif. Bde.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major) generally good very fine and a scarce group (8) £3000-3500

D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901: ‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’ Invested by the King 18 December 1902.

M.V.O. London Gazette 17 January 1911: ‘On the occasion of the visit of Field Marshal His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught to South Africa, to represent His Majesty at the opening of the first Parliament of the Union of South Africa.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901, 17 February and 22 June 1915.

Robert Francis Sidney Grant was born on 18 September 1877, son of Sir Charles Grant, K.C.S.I. He was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford, being gazetted to the Rifle Brigade as a 2nd Lieutenant on 30 July 1898, from the 1st V.B. Oxfordshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade during the South African war and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 January 1900; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900 and action at Vaal Krantz; operations on Tugela Heights, 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieters Hill. Operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laing’s Nek. Operations in the Transvaal east of Pretoria, July to November 1900, and in the Orange River Colony in May 1900. Operations in the Transvaal, November 1900 to April 1902, and in the Orange River Colony during July and August 1901. During the campaign he was Staff Officer to Colonel Colville, who was then commanding a column. He was mentioned in despatches, awarded the D.S.O., and received the Queen’s medal with 6 clasps, and the King’s medal with 2 clasps.

He accompanied H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught on the occasion of his visit to South Africa for the opening of the first Parliament in that country, and subsequently was appointed a member of the Royal Victorian Order. On returning to England he passed through the Staff College, and while there whipped-in to the Drag Hounds. He also won the Staff College Point-to-Point, and with the same horse “Peacock” won the Jorrock’s Cup three years running.

During the Great War, he was promoted to Major in November 1914, was twice, mentioned in despatches, and was serving on the Staff as a Brigade-Major to the 5th Infantry Brigade when he was severely wounded in February 1915. He never fully recovered from his wound and was practically confined to a chair for the rest of his life. He died at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, on 4 August 1927, from the effects of wounds received in action, aged 49 years.