The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (336 Pte. J. Barrett, C.I.V.) housed in a contemporary velvet fitted case, minor edge bruise, good very fine £160-£200

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

View
Collection

James Barrett, a clerk, joined the 13th Middlesex (Queen’s Westminster) Volunteer Rifles on 7 December 1896 and served in South Africa with “F” Company of the Infantry Battalion, City Imperial Volunteers, during the Boer War. Extracts from a letter written by Barrett, describing his involvement in the action at Britstown and his role as a signaller, were printed in the City Press, 25 April 1900; further extracts regarding lines of communication were printed on 5 May 1900.

Barrett was wounded on 11 or 12 June 1900 near Pretoria. Private F. J. Pickman noted Barrett’s injury, from shell-fire at the Battle of Diamond Hill, in his diary which was later published with interpolations by Geoffrey Moore as ‘Pickman’s Progress’:
‘June 12th: “Off at daybreak to resume attack against the Boer positions, who had retired during the night to the next range of hills, where they were very strongly entrenched. We drove them from three ranges and terribly hilly and rough they were at the last kopje. We had to lay down for over four hours, subjected to a pretty stiff shell fire during which Jim Barrett (13th Middlesex R.V.) got hit. Lieut. Alt killed & 18 wounded amongst the C.I.V. The Brigade lost 60 killed and wounded. The Boers retreated during the night as usual. This engagement was called Diamond Hill”, remarked Pickman, adding, presumably later, “a bar is given for it”.’

Barrett later served in the South African Constabulary.