Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, traces of additional clasps having been removed (741 Pte. J. S. Wright, C.I.V.) suspension claw re-affixed, the whole medal presumably having been reconstituted, minor edge bruising, nearly very fine £60-£80

John Samuel Wright was born at St. George’s, Hannover Square, London in 1878. A carpenter by occupation, he joined the 2nd City of London Rifle Volunteers in 1896 and served in South Africa as a Cyclist with the City Imperial Volunteers during the Boer War.

The Accounts Book of the C.I.V. contains the following entry, 3 July 1902:
‘Amount paid to Pte. J. S. Wright late C.I.V. Regl. No. 741, being a Second Compassionate Grant, recommended by Surgeon Major Sleman upon Wright’s 4th admission to St. George’s Hospital. He was wounded at Doornkop and underwent a surgical operation at Pretoria and Surgeon Wm. Bennett now recommended a further operation. £10.’

A note with the lot states the following:
‘Said by his sister (claiming help) to have served in R.F.C. from August 1914 until his death in April 1939. His son was killed while fire-fighting in April 1941. No Medal Index Card found (home service only?)’

Note: Additionally entitled to Johannesburg clasp.