Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Capt. W. H. Briggs, Durham Lt. Infy.) nearly extremely fine £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Durham Light Infantry and associated units.

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William Hilton Briggs was born on 13 June 1871, the third son of Colonel Charles James Briggs, D.L., J.P., of Hylton Castle, Sunderland. He was educated at Rugby School. Gazetted to the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 25 February 1891, he was promoted Lieutenant on 18 December 1891 and Captain on 4 November 1893. He served in the Boer War 1899-1902, in operations in the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal and was awarded the Queen’s Medal with three clasps and the King’s Medal with two; he was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901), being the only Militia Officer mentioned in Lord Robert’s despatch for good work with the mounted infantry. He was seconded to the South African Constabulary, 15 May to 31 July 1901 and with the 31st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, 10 January to 22 October 1902. Appointed a Honorary Major, 2 June 1906, Major 22 March 1907, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th Battalion D.L.I., 30 August 1908 and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th Battalion, 22 March 1912. Granted the rank of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel in the Regular Army in August 1914. In the War he took part in a Tour of Inspection, November-December 1916 and in June 1918 was granted the rank of Brevet Colonel. He relinquished his commission on 22 March 1918. Retiring to Brickenden Grange, Hertford, he was D.L. for Hertford 1941 and High Sheriff 1943. He died in 1951. Sold with copied research.