Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8 (Pte. C. Welch, Sansom’s Horse) nearly extremely fine £400-500

Medals named to this unit are very seldom seen, a matter of fact raised by Dr. Frank Mitchell in his article “Sansom’s Horse”, published in the South African Military History Journal, December 1973. The same source describes a close encounter with the Galekas:

‘On 9 October 1877, a force consisting mainly of Sansom’s Horse was encamped at Springs, about six miles on the Transkei side of the Great Kei, south-east of the present Kei Bridge. Early that morning, while most of the men were still asleep, the camp was heavily attacked by a large force of Galekas. Captain Sansom ordered his men to stand fast, and immediately sent a despatch rider for reinforcements. Some of the young recruits were close to panic, but Sansom rallied them - he in fact threatened to shoot the first man to put his foot in a stirrup! - and coolly set about arranging the defence of the camp. The battle continued until after midday, but by the time reinforcements arrived the Galekas had withdrawn, leaving many dead behind. Sansom’s Horse had two men wounded.’