Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Kimberley (4743 Corl. G. H. Newman, W. Riding Regt.) good very fine £200-250

Corporal G. H. Newman, 1st Battalion West Riding Regiment, was killed in action at Klip Kraal on 16 February 1900.

The 1st Battalion West Riding Regiment landed in South Africa on 29 January 1900 and formed part of the 6th Division under General Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny. It hurried forward in the advance by which Lord Roberts sought to cut off the Boer Army under Cronje. In an action on 16 February at Klip Kraal Drift, one of Cronje’s roads to safety was blocked. Corporal Newman was killed in the action and was the regiment’s first battle loss in the Boer War.