The Late Bruce C Cazel Collection of British Campaign Awards

A rare ‘Maritz Rebellion’ casualty group of three to Private D. J. Mitchell, Kimberley Commando, killed in action at the battle of Upington in Cape Province, 24 January 1915

1914-15 Star (Pte., Kimbeley Cdo.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte., Kimberley Cdo.); Memorial Plaque (David John Mitchell) extremely fine (4)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Late Bruce C Cazel Collection of British Campaign Awards.

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David John Mitchell was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Living in Kimberley and a Miner by occupation, he was a member of the Kimberley Central Commando (Scott’s Horse). As such he entered the German South West Africa theatre of war on 27 October 1914, being part of the Union of South Africa forces operating against the Germans and Boer rebels under Maritz and others. Private Mitchell was killed in action at the battle of Upington in Cape Province, on 24 January 1915, aged 47 years, 1 month. The Union Forces suffered 3 men killed and 22 wounded; the rebels had 12 men killed, 23 wounded and 97 captured. Mitchell was buried in the Upington Cemetery. He was the son of James and Johanna Mitchell and the husband of Emily Mitchell.

A reference to the battle is made in Gunners of the Cape, The Story of the Cape Field Artillery, by Neil Orpen:

‘All was not yet over, however, Maritz was shifting the weight of his assault to the northwestern flank and the Mounted Rifles (18th and ‘C’ Squadron 20th) formed up behind the C.F.A. guns, coming in for some heavy shelling before they were ordered to advance in extended order across the flats. Joined by Scott’s Horse [an alternative name for the Kimberley Commando] as they moved forward with ‘B’ gun in support, they ran into severe crossfire and had to retire slightly. Here they were shelled for a long time by German guns outside the range of the C.F.A’s. 15-pounders.’

The Kimberley Commando suffered three casualties in the Great War - two died of disease and one (Mitchell) killed in action. As many members of the Kimberley Commando went on to serve in other units later in the war, it is rare to find the British War and the Bilingual Victory Medal named to the unit. With copied service papers and other research.