Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (81315 Bomb T. H. Mason, R.F.A.) traces of lacquer, good very fine £80-100

Thomas Hart Mason was born in 1872 in Milton Abbott, Devonshire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Devonport on 4 November 1890. He served with 45th Field Battery in India from 22 September 1893 until 30 October 1898, and was promoted Bombardier on 12 November 1897. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 1 November 1898, but was recalled to Army Service on 7 October 1899, following the outbreak of the Boer War. He served with 139th Field Battery in South Africa from 22 October 1899 until 22 July 1900, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith and the operations at Tugela Heights, 15 December 1899 until 28 February 1900. Returning home, he was discharged medically unfit on 22 May 1902, after 11 years and 200 days’ service, dying on 1 August 1905, aged 32.