Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major J. H. Newton, Rimington’s Corps of Guides, later Damant’s Horse and Royston’s Horse

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Tpr. J. H. Newton, Corps of Guides); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 8 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (Serjt., Damant’s Horse); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (S.S.M., Royston’s Horse) contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine and rare (3) £1400-1800

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

M.I.D. Lord Roberts’ despatch dated 2 April 1901.

’20 May 1900, Trooper Newton rendered good service in collecting information and guiding a patrol along the Valsch River. 22 May 1900, taking part in a reconnaissance to Rhenoster River Bridge and bringing back report.’ (Ref WO/126)

J. H. Newton enrolled into Rimington’s Corps of Guides on 13 October 1899. Raised at the outbreak of the war by Major M. F. Rimington, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, it was not a large unit, numbering about 150 at the outset. The Guides were distinguished in many of the early actions of the war. Sir Archibald Hunter said of them, ‘Major Rimington has gathered a body of men whose virtues are like his own. They can ride, see, fight, and shoot straight. They are in the forefront where there is danger. They have never disappointed me, let alone failed me.’ When Rimington left the Guides to take another command, the unit was resuscitated under another of their leaders, Major Damant. Although the corps was still called officially Rimington’s Guides, it eventually became Damant’s Horse. Newton left the Guides in August 1900 when he transferred to the Intelligence Department.