Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Worcester Tribute Medal 1899-1901, silver-gilt and enamels, by Sale, Birmingham, obverse: embossed shield of the ancient arms of the city, in red and black enamel, with hallmarks for Birmingham 1901 below; reverse inscribed (name engraved) within a wreath of laurel, ‘Presented by the Citizens of Worcester to Pte. H. Harris in recognition of his services with the Worcester Volunteers South African War 1899 1900 1901’, medal fitted with original claw and ring suspension, very fine and scarce £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker.

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Collection

Ref. Hibbard A 28 with reverse 1.

Private H. Harris was a member of “D” (Evesham) Company in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, when, on 10 January 1900, he volunteered for service in South Africa. He was a member of the first contingent which became known as the 1st Volunteer Company, Worcestershire Regiment, which arrived at Cape Town on 17 March 1900. Harris returned from South Africa on 9 June 1901, having earned the Q.S.A. with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and South Africa 1901. A resident of Bewdley Street, Evesham, he was, in addition to the ‘Worcester Jewel’ described above, presented with a specially prepared watch and a mint 1901 Sovereign by the people of Evesham for his services in South Africa at a banquet held at Evesham Town Hall on 18 June 1901. The watches were engraved with the recipient’s name, the occasion on which they were given, the name of the maker and the old Borough of Evesham coat-of-arms. Sold with detailed research including medal roll entitlement and article on the Worcester Jewel by G. D. Whitley, published in the O.M.R.S. Journal, Summer 1977. Harris’ Q.S.A. is known to survive in a private collection.