Medals from the Collection of the late Roy Painter

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Wepener, Cape Colony, Transvaal (Lieut. J. B. Watts. S. Staff. Rgt.) officially engraved naming, clasps mounted in order, Wepener clasp a tailor’s copy (see footnote), toned, very fine £200-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Roy Painter.

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John Briscoe Watts was born on 28 September 1881 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, South Staffordshire Regiment, on 4 May 1901. He transferred to the Indian Army, 58th Rifles, as Lieutenant, in August 1903, and later served with the 4th Rajputs. Hart’s Army List for 1914 confirms service in South Africa 1899-1901, Queen’s Medal with 4 clasps but does not specify which ones.

He is listed in War Medals and Decorations of the Officers of the South Staffordshire Regiment, by Lieutenant-Colonel M. B. Savage, as being entitled to clasps for Wepener, Cape Colony, Transvaal, and South Africa 1901 - but this in all likelihood is incorrect, and his correct clasp entitlement for service with the Cape Mounted Rifles are the state clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal (with the South Africa 1901 clasp being awarded for his service with the South Staffordshires). Two other officers are (correctly) listed as being entitled to the Wepener clasp having served in the Cape Mounted Rifles prior to being commissioned into the South Staffordshire Regiment.