The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (1127 Pte. G. R. Young, C.I.V.) polished, good very fine £100-£140

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

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George Reuben Young served in South Africa with “L” Company, No. 1 Mounted Infantry Company of the City Imperial Volunteers during the Boer War as part of the the 12th Middlesex (Civil Service) Rifle Volunteers detachment. He was hospitalised with dysentery from 6 March 1900 until 22 April 1900 and later invalided on 8 July with fever to Kroonstad.

Young served in the same company as Private Walter Woodford and receives multiple mentions in his published diary of the campaign ‘C.I.V.M.I. South Africa 1900, “L” Co. At the Front’, including:
‘6 March 1900 - ‘Richardson and Young went into hospital with dysentery... They left in the morning en route for Kimberley.’

22 April 1900 - ‘Captain Reid, with detachment of No. 1 Company who had left us as an escort to a convoy from Ostfontein to Kimberley, rejoined us, having come by train from Kimberley to Norvals Pont, and from thence by road. Among them were several men who had gone to the Base Hospital with wounds or sickness, including my special pals Lake, Young and Richardson, who were perfectly recovered from their illness.’

31 May 1900 - My old chum, George Young, was unfortunate to lose his black horse “Ginger,” why he named him with a name so suggestive of a person possessing auburn locks is a secret to those not in “the know.” Ginger was a good horse, and had carried my old pal from Norvals Pont to the place of his death. Young was very grieved to lose so good a steed, especially as he had henceforth to walk.’

7 July 1900 - ‘I held the important office of cook to our mess which was composed of Sergeant Bradley, Corporal King, Privates Nash, Young and myself.’

8 July 1900 - ‘Young went sick during the day with fever, and was sent off, with some other invalids, to Kroonstad.’