Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Bugler T. J. Moggeridge, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action at Caesar’s Camp, 6 January 1900

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Ladysmith (4020 Bugr. T. J. Moggeridge, Rifle Brigade) extremely fine £400-£500

T. J. Moggeridge was killed in action at Caesar’s Camp during the siege of Ladysmith on 6 January 1900.

At three in the morning of 6 January the battalion heard the furious rattle of musketry round the southern defences, and at about 5.30 they were ordered to send six companies to Caesar's Camp, four miles off, arriving there about seven. Five companies were pushed into the firing line, which was distant from the enemy only 80 yards. "For nearly the whole day the fight raged fiercely, first one side then the other gaining a slight advantage, but we could not succeed in dislodging the Boers" from the south-east of the hill. At 3.30 the enemy tried to rush forward, but were driven back, and shortly afterwards retreated under a heavy fire, "some companies firing their last round". The battalion this day lost 1 officer killed and 1 mortally wounded, and 20 men killed, 5 officers and 32 men wounded. That night officers and men lay on the stricken field soaked and physically wretched, but knowing that another big bit of work had been done. Five officers and 8 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Sir George White's despatch of 23 March 1900.