Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Corporal C. Austin, Oxfordshire Light Infantry

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Transvaal (3964 Pte C. Austin, Oxford Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3964 Cpl C. Austin. Oxford L.I.) contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £120-£160

Charles Austin was born at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry at Gosport, Hampshire, on 7 June 1892. He served with the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in South Africa during the Boer War, and was discharged on 15 November 1911. His discharge papers note ‘that he has been through Three Mounted Infantry Courses and served with the Mounted Infantry in the South African War. Good groom, used to horses, hardworking, sober and reliable.’

Austin was embodied for service in the Great War and was posted to No. 1 Supply Company, 2nd/4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment in July 1915, and served ‘at Home’. He was later transferred to the Royal Defence Corps, being demobilized on 21 January 1919.

Note: The recipient’s service papers note entitlement to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 3 clasps, for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. The additional clasps to the Q.S.A. appear on a separate medal roll and there is no indication that they have ever been attached to the medal.