A good Boer War Mounted Infantry operations D.C.M. group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant J. H. Holland, Cheshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4855 A. Serjt.-Maj. J. Holland, Cheshire Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (4855 Col. Sejt. J. H. Holland, Ches. Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4855 Cr. Sjt. J. H. Holland, Cheshire Regt.), somewhat polished, nearly very fine or better (3) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902.

John Henry Holland was born in Birmingham and enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment in October 1894, aged 24 years, following earlier service in the Royal Canadian Militia. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was advanced to Corporal in February 1896, to Sergeant in August 1898 and to Colour-Sergeant in the following month, all the while being employed in the U.K.

In January 1901, however, he was embarked for South Africa, where he served in the 8th Battalion, Mounted Infantry, gallant service that won him a brace of “mentions” (London Gazette 25 April and 29 July 1902 refer), the former entry citing his gallant deeds in the capture of the Boer laager in Ermelo District in December 1901, and more especially his deeds on the 13th, ‘when he captured two Boers single-handed when far ahead of his men and fired at continuously.

Subsequently awarded the D.C.M. with a gratuity of £20, Holland was placed on the Army Reserve on his return to the U.K. in September 1902 and was finally discharged in October 1906.