Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (3732. Sjt. A. G. Willson. 7/D.G.) surname partially officially corrected to accommodate additional ‘L’, extremely fine £200-240

Albert G. Willson was born in Milton, Kent, in 1873, and attested for the 7th Dragoon Guards in 1889. Advanced Sergeant, he served with the Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War, and was dangerously wounded near Kroonstad on 10 May 1900:
‘The 4th Brigade were in support of the 1st Union Brigade, all under French’s command, in the advance to Pretoria. They were heading for Kroonstadt and had crossed the Zand River when the 1st Brigade were pinned down by 800 Boers. Two squadrons under Colonel Lowe occupied a hill to provide covering fire with carbines and a Maxim Gun. They then rejoined the regiment and they and the 8th Hussars were ordered to occupy a kraal on the enemy right. While heading towards the kraal some Boer horsemen came out of cover and fired on the two regiments. Since the enemy were out on the open plain, 1,000 yards away, they took the opportunity to charge them with drawn swords. This was a rare chance to effect a proper cavalry charge, but it had to be aborted halfway. Luckily for the British, they spotted a ravine running across their path which would have been fatal if they had all tumbled into it. The order came “Troops left wheel” and the disappointed troopers turned away in time. It had been a trick to lure the two regiments on but the casualties were few compared to what might have been. Four men were injured, of whom one, Sergeant Willson, later died.’ (7th Dragoon Guards, by C. Griffin refers).

Willson died of his wounds the following day, 11 May 1900. He is commemorated on a plaque in Holy Trinity Church, Milton Regis, Kent.