Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg (5716. Pte. W. Ruggles, 1: Essex Regt.) minor edge bruise, good extremely fine £300-400

Provenance: Dix & Webb, March 1996.

Willie Ruggles was born in Tilbury-juxta-Clare, Essex, on 13 September 1876, and attested for the Essex Regiment in 1899. He served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, and was killed in action at the Battle of Paardeberg on 18 February 1900. The 1st Essex, along with the 1st Welsh, were the first troops ordered into the attack, and both units suffered heavy casualties, pinned down on the plain with only occasional glimpses of the enemy. In total 303 officers and men were killed in action at Paardeberg, and a further 806 officers and men were wounded, the greatest number of casualties on a single day in the Boer War. For his gallantry during the Battle Lieutenant Francis Parsons of the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Ruggles is buried at Vendusiedrift, Paardeberg, and his name is recorded on the Regimental South Africa War Memorial at Chelmsford.

Sold with copied medal roll extract and other research.