Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Major W. C. Roper-Caldbeck, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, later Bedfordshire Regiment

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Major. W. C. Roper-Caldbeck. Rl. Dub. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj. W. C. Roper-Caldbeck. Rl. Dub. Fus.) suspension slightly slack; British War and Victory Medals (Major W. C. Roper-Caldbeck.); Italy, Kingdom, War Merit Cross, bronze, first two mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (5) £800-£1,200

William Caldbeck Roper-Caldbeck was born in January 1855, and educated at Trinity College Dublin. He unsuccessfully stood for Parliament for the seat of Dublin North in 1885, before being admitted to the Inner Temple and being entitled to practice as a Barrister in 1896. Roper-Caldbeck served as a Major in the 5th Battalion (Dublin County Militia), Royal Dublin Fusiliers prior to the Second Boer War. He volunteered for active service with his Battalion in South Africa, and was appointed Temporary Major in the Army. Roper-Caldbeck was engaged in operations in Cape Colony, 30 November 1900 - January 1902, and in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, January to 31 May 1902.

Roper-Caldbeck resigned his commission in the Militia in June 1903. He re-engaged for service during the Great War as a Major in the Special Reserve, and was serving with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in 1915. Roper-Caldbeck served with the Regiment in the Italian theatre of war from February 1918 - aged 63 years old. He was a JP, and resided at Moyle Park, Clondalkin, Dublin. Roper-Calbeck died in December 1936.