Four: Corporal J. W. Hope, South Wales Borderers, who served in the Boer War with the 2nd Battalion and in the Great War with the 1st Battalion

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6893 Pte. J. Hope. S. Wales Bord:); 1914 Star, with clasp (6893 L. Cpl. J. W. Hope. S. Wales Bord.); Victory Medal (6893 Cpl. J. W. Hope. S. Wales Bore); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (James William Hope.) in case of issue; together with an Army Temperance Association India 1 Year Medal, silver, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine (5) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers.

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James William Hope was born in Stapleton, Gloucestershire in 1882 and, at the age of 18, having already joined the 2nd Gloucestershire Royal Engineers Volunteers, attested for the South Wales Borderers at Bristol on 6 December 1900. He served in South Africa during the Boer War with the 2nd Battalion, and was additionally entitled to the South Africa 1902 clasp (copied roll extract included). He transferred to the Army Reserve on 29 March 1904 after 3 years and 111 days’ service.

Recalled to the Colours following the outbreak of the Great War, he served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 27 August 1914. He later served with the 550th Agric Company of the Labour Corps from which unit he was later demobilised.
He later worked as a Postman in Bristol and was awarded his Imperial Service Medal in 1938 (London Gazette 14 October 1938).

Sold with official forwarding letter for both Queen’s South Africa and Imperial Service Medals, the recipient’s riband bar; and a Princess Mary Christmas 1914 tin, this empty.