Meritorious Service Medal Groups from the Collection of Ian McInnes

A rare ‘Crowned Head’ M.S.M. group of three awarded to Squadron Sergeant-Major A. E. Bateman, 9th Lancers

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 8 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (2392 Sq. Sjt. Mjr., 9/Lcrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2392 S.S. Mjr., 9/Lcrs.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, crowned head (Sq. S. Mjr., 9-Lrs.) nearly very fine or better, the last extremely fine and rare (3) £1500-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Meritorious Service Medal Groups from the Collection of Ian McInnes.

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M.S.M. announced in Army Order 106 of 1942, one of only 55 awards with the George VI crowned head obverse.

Albert Edward Bateman was born at Bromley, Kent, in October 1865, and enlisted for the Cavalry in London on 21 July 1884. Posted to the 9th Lancers, he was appointed Lance-Corporal in August 1885, and promoted Corporal in December 1886. He was appointed Lance-Sergeant in January 1891, and promoted to Sergeant in April 1892, having extended his service to 12 years with the Colours the previous month. In February 1896 he re-engaged at Aldershot to complete 21 years’, went with the regiment to India in September 1897, and was appointed Lance Squadron Sergeant in April 1898. That October he was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major of “A” Squadron and subsequently served throughout the Boer War under Lord Douglas Compton, with whom he was present at the capture of the Boer Commando Leader Lotter on 4/5 September 1901, when “A” Squadron played a major part.

Bateman was attached as Squadron Sergeant Major to the Denbighshire Hussars (Imperial Yeomanry) from late September 1901, and in January 1905, he extended his service beyond 21 years at Chester. During the Great War the Denbighshire Yeomanry were stationed at Morpeth, Northumberland, until posted overseas to Egypt and, later Palestine and the Western Front. Bateman, however, aged 50 in 1916, was considered too old for an overseas posting and remained at home. He was finally discharged at Gobowen on 5 September 1916, having served a total of 32 years 198 days. Bateman had married at Cork in 1892 and fathered four children. His eldest son, J. S. Bateman, also served in the 9th Lancers and won the Military Medal before being commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery in 1916.