Six: Captain C. F. Morkel, Witwatersrand Rifles, one of the original Pioneers of Mashonalnd in 1890 who did not claim the 1890 medal, latterly a mining engineer and prominent Rugby footballer

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896 (Sergt. C. F. Morkel. S.F.F.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (15109 Serjt: C. F. Morkel. Rand Rifles); 1914-15 Star (Capt. C. F. Morkel S.A.S.C. - T&R.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Capt. C. F. Morkel.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1920 (Capt. & Q.M. C. F. Morkel 7th Dismtd. R. (H.S)) good very fine (6) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals Relating to Rhodesia and South Africa.

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Carolus Frederick Morkel was born at Somerset West on 14 July 1870, and was educated at Somerset West and Diocesan College, Rondebosch. One of the original Pioneers of Mashonaland, he attested for the B.S.A. Police on 3 January 1890 (No. 101) and served in “B” Troop in the Pioneer Column of 1890, and was discharged from the same troop on 30 September 1891. He served with the Salisbury Field Force in the 1896 campaign. During the Boer War he joined the Rand Rifles. He joined the Witwatersrand Rifles on its formation in 1903 and became officer in charge of transport with the rank of Captain, and subsequently served in South West Africa during the First World War. A prominent Rugby footballer, he played for Kimberley Team, Griqualand West, for 4 years, and played against the first England team. He never claimed the Mashonaland 1890 medal to which he became entitled in 1920. He died at Ermelo on 16 June 1924. Sold with research including a copied photograph of Morkel in command of a company of the Witwatersrand Rifles.