Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (3116 Pte. J. Lambert, 2nd Rl: Fus:) extremely fine and scarce £500-£600

John Henry Lambert was born at Stoke Newington, London, and enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow on 10 September 1888, aged 18 years 2 months, a fishmonger by trade. He served overseas in the East Indies from March 1892 to November 1895, and in South Africa from 22 October 1899 to 23 August 1901. In South Africa he was one of ‘Barton’s Fusilier Brigade’ which comprised 2nd Royal Fusiliers (27 men), 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers (20 men), 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers (1 officer and 25 men), and the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (1 officer and 25 men). With the exception of a very few ‘odd men’ in other units, these were the only Imperial troops present at the relief of Mafeking. Private Lambert was discharged on 9 September 1901. Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll extract.