Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major E. Leigh, Hampshire Regiment, who was severely wounded at Ondwerwact during the Boer War on 4 January 1902, for which action he was Mentioned in Despatches, and was subsequently killed in action at Gallipoli on 1 May 1915

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt. E. Leigh. 2/Hamp. Rgt.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. E. Leigh. Hamp. Rgt.) engraved naming, good very fine (2) £500-£700

Edward Leigh was born at Wexford, Ireland, on 15 August 1867 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment on 9 May 1888. Promoted Lieutenant on 4 January 1890, and Captain on 17 April 1899, he served in India and then in South Africa during the Boer War where he commanded the 7th (Hampshire) Mounted Infantry. He took part in the operations in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to January 1902; in the Orange River Colony, December 1900 to October 1901; and in the Cape Colony, February to March 1901. Severely wounded at Ondwerwact on 4 January 1902, for his services on this date he was Mentioned in Lord Kitchener’s Despatch (London Gazette 25 April 1902 - ‘For good service and gallantry in action at Ondwerwact on 4 January 1902’).

Leigh served as Adjutant of the 4th Volunteer Battalion from 20 April 1904 to 21 July 1905, and was promoted Major on 22 July 1905. He subsequently served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 25 April 1915, and was killed in action on 1 May 1915. He is buried in Redoubt Cemetery, Helles, Turkey.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; statement of service; and copied research.