Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Trooper J. W. Gibbs, Protectorate Regiment, who was killed in action at Game Tree Hill, Mafeking, on 26 December 1899

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Mafeking (55 Tpr: J. W. Gibbs. Protect: Regt. F.F.) suspension claw re-rivetted, nearly very fine £1,400-£1,800

Joseph Walter Gibbs served in ‘C’ Squadron of the Protectorate Regiment at the Defence of Mafeking, and was killed in action at Game Tree Hill on 26 December 1899. The Colonials in South Africa 1899-1902 takes up the story:

‘Action at Game Tree Hill, 26 December 1899: Two squadrons of the Protectorate Regiment, supported by an armoured train and the Bechuanaland Rifles, were ordered to attack the enemy’s works from the left flank under Major Godley, while three guns and a maxim prepared the way from the right front of the work. On pressing home the attack a heavy fire killed or wounded most of the officers and leading troops. These succeeded in gaining the parapet, but the work was found to have been strongly roofed in and so closed as to be impregnable. The British losses were this time very serious. Captain R. J. Vernon, Captain H. C. Sandford, Lieutenant H. P. Paton, and 21 non-commissioned officers and men were killed, Captain FitzClarence and 22 men wounded, and 3 missing. Colonel Baden-Powell said “If blame for this reverse falls on any one it should fall on myself, as everybody concerned did their part of the work thoroughly well and exactly in accordance with the orders I had issued. Both officers and men worked with splendid courage and spirit.” ’

Sold with copied medal roll extract; photographs of the recipient’s grave; and other research.