A ‘Boer War’ D.C.M. pair awarded to Battery Sergeant Major W. J. Bell, Royal Field Artillery, who died of disease at Dundee on 27 June 1901

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (57274B. Serjt:- Maj: W. J. Bell. R.F.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901 (57274 B.S. Major W. J. Bell, 67th. Bty., R.F.A.) minor edge bruise to DCM, otherwise about extremely fine (2) £1400-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the Boer War formed by Doug Jenkins.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

W. J. Bell served with the 67th Battery Royal Field Artillery in South Africa; was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901). During the War the 67th was in action at the turning movement via Helpmakaar, and also the actions at Botha’s Pass and at Laing’s Nek. On 14 November 1900 a convoy to Vryheid was attacked. Lord Roberts, referring to this, said: “The Boers were driven off without any casualties on our side by the good practice made by the 67th Battery”, and it is therefore possible that Bell’s D.C.M. was in part for this action. In 1901 the Battery was chiefly employed on the Zululand border, and Bell died of disease at Dundee on 27 June 1901.