Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (3383. Pte. D. Brennan. 8/Hrs:) toned, extremely fine £160-200

Daniel Brennan was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 12 May 1864 and attested for the 21st Hussars at Hounslow on 26 June 1877, aged 13. He transferred to the Reserve at Bangalore on 23 September 1889, and re-attested in the 8th Hussars at Woolwich on 27 April 1891. He served with the 8th Hussars in South Africa during the Boer War, and was present at the Battle of Rooi Kop, fought by General French on the Road to Bloemfontein on 24 April; Brennan maintained in later life that he was one of the two cavalrymen depicted in the foreground of W. B. Wollen’s famous drawing of the action. He was finally discharged on 26 April 1903, after 24 years and 155 days’ service. On his original discharge from the 21st Hussars, his Troop commander wrote of him: ‘I look upon him as one of the best men, if not the best man, in my troop.’

Sold together with the recipient’s various Parchment Certificates of Discharge and Parchment Certificates of Character on Discharge, with accompanying letters of reference; a silver spoon, the reverse numbered ‘8H 3383’; burnisher chain and two pairs of Army spurs; a small book of Irish Songs; a coloured handkerchief, reputed to have been taken as a souvenir when Botha’s baggage convoy was intercepted by British troops; a cabinet portrait photograph of the recipient, and various other photographs.