Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (2562 Pte. A. Davey, 1st Essex Regt.) good very fine £100-140

Arthur Davey was born in Brightlingsea and enlisted in the Essex Regiment at Colchester in April 1889, aged 19 years. Having then served in Cyprus and India, he was transferred to the Army Reserve in March 1897, but was recalled on the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa. He subsequently witnessed active service in that theatre of war from November 1899 until July 1900, including the relief of Kimberley operations, Paardeberg and Driefontein.

At Paardeberg, the Essex suffered losses of 12 men killed and two officers, including their Colonel, and 20 men wounded, while one of their number, Lieutenant F. N. Parsons, was awarded the V.C. Later still, at Driefontein, the regiment participated in a well-known bayonet charge alongside the Welsh, and suffered losses of two officers, including Parsons, V.C., and 14 men killed, and two officers and 70 men wounded. Seven officers and 10 men were subsequently mentioned in despatches by Lord Roberts in March 1900.

Davey was discharged back in the U.K. in April 1902. With copied service papers.