Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (2923 Pte. W. Banham. 1st. Suffolk Regt.) contact marks, nearly very fine £70-90

William Banham was born in 1871 in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, and attested for the Suffolk Regiment on 24 November 1890, having previously served in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. After serving with the 2nd Battalion in India from 6 September 1893 until 17 December 1898, he returned home and was transferred to the Army Reserve, 19 December 1898, before being recalled to the Colours on 1 November 1899, following the outbreak of the Boer War. He served with the regiment in South Africa from 11 November 1899 until 24 August 1902 (also entitled to King’s South Africa Medal with two clasps), and on returning home elected to stay on in the Army so as to complete 21 years’ service. Promoted Lance-Corporal on 3 January 1903, he was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 73 in 1910, before being finally discharged on 30 November 1913, after 23 years and 7 days’ service.