Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private J. O. Atkinson, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who served with the Mounted Infantry in South Africa during the Boer War

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (5713 Pte. J. Atkinson. Rl. Warwick: Regt. M.I.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5713 Pte. T. [sic] Atkinson. Rl: Warwick: Regt.) minor edge bruise to KSA, light contact marks, good very fine (2) £200-£240

James Ormerod Atkinson was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, and attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Preston, Lancashire, on 19 December 1889, whilst currently serving with the Regiment’s 4th (Militia) Battalion. Posted to the 1st Battalion on 11 October 1891, he served with the Regiment in India from that month until 19 February 1896, and then proceeded to Ceylon, returning home on 13 February 1898. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 16 February 1898, but re-joined the Colours, transferring to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, on 18 April of that year.

Atkinson served with his new Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 20 April 1900 to 10 September 1902, where he was one of the 230 men of the Regiment that served as Mounted Infantry (only the Royal Warwickshire Regiment’s Mounted Infantry element qualified for the King’s South Africa Medal). Returning home, he was discharged at Warwick on 10 February 1905, after 15 years and 54 days’ service. He died on 7 January 1939, of multiple injures having been hit by a passing car whilst attempting to cross the Padiham Road in Burnley, and is buried in Burnley Cemetery, Lancashire.

Sold with copied service and discharge papers, and a copied newspaper cutting from the Burnley Express, dated 11 January 1939, concerning the recipient’s death and the subsequent inquest.