Auction Catalogue

22 September 2006

Starting at 11:30 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 1070

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22 September 2006

Hammer Price:
£4,300

A scarce ‘Tirah’ D.C.M. group of four to Lance-Corporal J. Chambers, Northamptonshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal
, V.R. (L/Corp., North’n. R.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3400 Pte., 1st Bn. North’n. Regt.), note, initial given as ‘P’ on this medal; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3400 Pte., 2nd Northampton Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (3400 Pte., Northampton Regt.) some edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (4) £3000-3500

John Chambers was born in Weldon, near Kettering, Northamptonshire. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment on 11 September 1891, aged 19 years, 11 months. With the regiment he served in India from 4 October 1892 to 2 March 1899. Serving with the regiment in the Tirah campaign he was present in the advance on the Arhanga Pass and on into the Maidan Valley, 31 October 1897. On the evening of 1 November the rearguard of the Northamptonshire Regiment came under attack as it proceeded from the Pass to Maidan. The detachment, commanded by Major T. E. Compton was surrounded and attacked by the tribesmen but they were driven off and the rearguard made it safely back to the camp at Maidan. For this action Lance-Corporal Chambers was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (one of 32 for the Tirah campaign). Chambers having completed his period of service was transferred to the Army Reserve on 5 March 1899 but with the war with the Boers in progress, was recalled to the Colours on 9 October 1899. He served in South Africa from 21 October 1899 until 22 September 1902. Transferred to the Army Reserve on 29 May 1903, he received his discharge on 10 September 1903. Sold with copied attestation papers and other research.