The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant J. Mathison, 4th Middlesex (West London) Volunteer Rifles and City of London Imperial Volunteers, who was seriously wounded by shell-fire at Diamond Hill on 12 June 1900

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1507 Sgt.: J. Mathison, C.I.V.); Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (3324 C. Sjt: J. Mathison. 4/ Middx: V.R.C.); together with a Masonic Founder’s Badge of the Kensington Battalion, Lodge No. 3624, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1912, the medals contained in a leather carrying case, named inside ‘J. Mathison, 105 ... Chambers, Bridge St. Westminster’, very fine (3) £160-£200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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John Mathison was born in Kensington, London in July 1872, and joined the 4th Middlesex (West London) Rifle Volunteers in 1888, being promoted to Sergeant in 1895. An Inner Temple Barrister’s Clerk at the time of his attestation for the City Imperial Volunteers (one of just 8 men from his volunteer unit to do so) on 11 January 1900, Mathison served in South Africa as a Lance Sergeant with “H” Company, Infantry Battalion, C.I.V. during the Boer War and was wounded on 12 June 1900 at Diamond Hill. His medical documents stating ‘shell wound, left leg; admitted hospital at Wynberg, 3.8.00; discharged from hospital 21.8.00’. He was noted by the City Press, 15 September 1900, to be among ‘sick men returned home on S.S. Assay’. He attended Gosport Hospital on 10 September 1900 and was discharged unfit for further service 31 December 1900.

An enlistment and discharge form to John Mathison 1507, is held by W.O. 97/5483. (Photocopy with lot). Almost unique among remaining records to the C.I.V., its survival is likely to be connected to Mathison’s hospitalisation after his return from South Africa.