Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private G. Shemeld, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who died on 11 February 1918

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (1096 Pte., K.R.R.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (1096 Pte., K.R.R.C.); 1914 Star, with clasp (1096 Pte., 1/K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals (1096 Pte., K.R. Rif. C.); together with a Silver War Badge (60394) first two with contact marks, good fine; others nearly extremely fine (6) £400-500

George Shemeld was born in Highfield, Sheffield, the son of John and Emily Shemeld. A Cutler by occupation and a member of the Yorkshire Artillery Militia, he attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Sheffield on 7 September 1898, aged 21 years, 10 months. Saw active service in the Boer War, being present at Talana and the Defence of Ladysmith. With the 1st Battalion K.R.R.C. he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 13 August 1914 but was invalided back to England due to sickness on 5 October 1914. He was discharged due to sickness on 9 December 1914 and awarded the Silver War Badge. Shemeld died of stomach cancer at 8 Brompton Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield on 11 February 1918.

His medical papers at the time of his discharge state that his ‘disability probably arose from the attack of rheumatism brought on by exposure in the trenches at the Aisne. Attack of rheumatism during the Boer War following the siege of Ladysmith but not sufficiently severe to incapacitate. ...’

With a quantity of copied research including service papers, m.i.c., census extracts and death certificate. With original slip to accompany the British War and Victory Medals.