Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant H. Poole, Scottish Rifles, Later Essex Regiment, wounded and taken prisoner of war at Blood River Poort, 17 September 1901

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Cpl W. [sic] Poole, 2nd Scottish Rifles); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (4142 Corl H. Poole. Scot: Rifles); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4142 Serjt: H. Poole. Scot: Rifles.); 1914-15 Star (1926 Sergt. H. Poole Essex Regiment) renamed; British War and Victory Medals (1926 Sjt. H. Poole. Essex R.); Coronation 1911, silver, worn, good fine (7) £1200-1600

Provenance: Spink, November 1984.

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 April 1901.

Henry Poole was born in Burdett Road, London, and attested for the Scottish Rifles (having previously served with the 4th Battalion Essex Regiment) at Hamilton, in October 1891. He advanced to Corporal in October 1898, and Sergeant in January 1901. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second Boer War, October 1899 - September 1902, and was wounded and taken prisoner of war at Blood River Poort, 17 September 1901. He was discharged 1 October 1903, having served 12 years with the Colours.

Poole returned to East London, and was employed with the Leyton and District Council Tramway, prior to attesting as Sergeant with the 7th Battalion, Essex Regiment at Leyton, in February 1913. He served during the Great War with the 7th Battalion, and was part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, from July 1915. He was discharged in December 1917.

Poole is erroneously listed with the intial ‘W’ in both the London Gazette and Abbot’s Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1855-1909, his service papers give him as ‘Harry’ and ‘Henry’.