Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: Major J. H. W. Beach, Royal Army Medical Corps

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (2923 S. Sergt. A.H.C.); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Lt. & Q/Mr., R.A.M.C.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt. & Qr. Mr., R.A.M.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt. & Qr. Mr., R.A.M.C.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, unnamed, some edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (6) £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Medical Services formed by Colonel D.G.B. Riddick.

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Joseph Herbert Wolfe Beach was born on 9 September 1857. He joined the Army Hospital Corps as a Private c.June 1875 and as a Staff Sergeant served in the Egypt campaign of 1882. Promoted to Sergeant-Major in the Medical Staff Corps in August 1884, he served in the Bechuanaland expedition of 1884-85 under Sir Charles Warren and in Zululand during 1888 in operations against Dinizulu, Paramount Chief of the Zulus. Appointed Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant in the Army Medical Staff in January 1890, he later served in the Sudan campaign. Having been promoted to Quartermaster and Honorary Captain in the R.A.M.C. during January 1900, he was heavily involved in the Second Boer War, being present at the battles of Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein during November/December 1899, followed by operations in the Orange River Colony, Transvaal and Cape Colony until the end of the conflict. For his services he was mentioned in Lord Roberts’ despatch of 4 September 1901 for ‘Special and Meritorious Service’ (London Gazette 10 September 1901), and again in Kitchener’s despatch of 23 June 1902 (London Gazette 29 July 1902). Beach was promoted to Quartermaster and Honorary Major in January 1905 and retired with that rank on 9 September 1912. He received a ‘Reward for Distinguished & Meritorious Service’ on 30 March 1913. Recalled to active service on 5 August 1914, he served throughout the Great War, finaly retiring in 1920 with the rank of Major (Quartermaster). Sold with copied service details.