Five: Gunner H. Sandy, Royal Field Artillery

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (4653 Pte. H. Sandy A.S.C.) clasp loose on riband, renamed; India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 (82178 Gunr. H. Sandy 11th Fd. By. R.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (82178 Gnr: H. Sandy, 4: B, R.F.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (82178 Gnr: H. Sandy. R.F.A.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued, mounted for display, light contact marks overall, very fine (5) £300-£360

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset.

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Henry Sandy was born in Clevedon, and attested for the Army Service Corps at Aldershot in October 1882. He served with the Corps in Egypt, February - July 1885, and was discharged 10 December 1888, having served 6 years and 63 days.

Sandy re-engaged for service with the Royal Artillery at Woolwich in December 1890. He transferred to the 9th Field Battery in September 1891, and served with the 11th Field Battery from December 1897. Sandy served in India, September 1891 - February 1898, and with the 4th Battery, Royal Field Artillery in South Africa, November 1899 - September 1902. He was once again discharged, 10 December 1902, this time after 12 years service.

The Clevedon Mercury and Courier carried an obituary for Sandy, 10 February 1912, in which it records the following about his Boer War service:

‘From all these engagements he fortunately escaped unhurt with the exception of a slight flesh wound received during the South African War... on the outbreak of the South African war he was again called up for active service, being one of the first of the batch of Reservists to leave Clevedon for the front. He was drafted to the 4th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and took part in the earlier operations under General Redvers Buller, General French, and later Lord Methuen... Some time afterwards he was captured by the Boers and made a prisoner of war, but was eventually released owing to the inability of the Boers to maintain their prisoners.’

The above is unsubstantiated by either the latest published transcription of the Boer War casualty roll, or the recipient’s service papers. Sandy is buried in Clevedon Cemetery.

Sold with extensive copied research, and a copied photograph of recipient in uniform wearing the Egypt medals.