The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (235 Sgt. W. F. Cowtan, C.I.V.) 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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William Frederick Cowtan was born in Camden Town, London in 1876. A bank clerk by profession, and an experienced rider, he enlisted into the 19th Middlesex (Bloomsbury Rifles) on 21 January 1896 and served with their detachment in South Africa during the Boer War, initially as a Corporal, with No. 2 Company, Mounted Infantry, City Imperial Volunteers. He was promoted Sergeant in June 1900 following Sergeant Stallard’s departure due to sickness. After his return from South Africa, the City Press, 21 November 1900, reported that he had been entertained by the clerks of British Mutual Banking Company at the Cafe d’Italie, Compton Street and presented with an engraved gold and silver cigarette case.

Cowtan joined the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge in 1907. He served during the Great War as a Company Sergeant Major in the Royal Defence Corps and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 10 July 1917. He was advanced to Lieutenant before he relinquished his commission on 30 April 1919, retaining his rank.