A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Captain F. W. Stringer, Hampshire Regiment, formerly a ‘specially selected scout’ with the South African Light Horse and Field Intelligence Department, who was decorated for gallantry when he single-handedly captured a Boer on 5 February 1902

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Tpr: F. Stringer. S.A. Lt. Horse); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (1169 L. Corpl: T. W. Stringer, S.A. Lt. Horse.) note incorrect first initial; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Guide F. W. Stringer. F.I.D.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Cpl: F. W. Stringer, Transvaal Mtd. Rifles.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. F. W. Stringer.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-18 (Capt. F. W. Stringer. Hamps. R.) contact marks, nearly very fine and better (7) £3,000-£4,000

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2013 and May 2016. Now additionally sold with a recognised fake D.C.M., as described by Purves and in British Gallantry Awards under Copies and Fakes. This is named ‘Trpr. F. Stringer. S.A.L. Horse.’ and was sold at Glendining’s in May 1952.

D.C.M. London Gazette 25 April 1902:

‘Trooper F. Stringer, South African Light Horse. For single-handed capture of a Boer, under circumstances of gallantry on 5 February 1902.’

Frederick William Stringer was born in Horton, Dorset on 13 July 1873, the son of the Rev. Thomas Stringer of Purbrook, Cosham, Hampshire.

When he applied for a commission in the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment on 23 December 1911, he stated that he had previously served for seven years in the South African Light Horse; one year in the Imperial Light Horse; three years in the Hants Volunteers and one year in the Canadian Artillery. As an ex-rancher, he also appears to have served in the Corps of Cattle Rangers during the Boer War. It was however for the above cited deed as a Trooper in the South African Light Horse, that he won his D.C.M. His old C.O., Lieutenant-Colonel Barker, wrote the following letter of reference in August 1906:

‘I have great pleasure in certifying to the fact that the bearer, Mr. F. W. Stringer, served as a Trooper in the S.A.L.H. during the late war, under my command from November 1899, when the Corps was raised, until October 1900. He afterwards rejoined and during this second period served in a specially selected scouting corps from members of the Regiment.

During the recent rebellion in Natal & Zululand he served under my command in the Transvaal Mounted Rifles.

He is a very steady, reliable man, a good soldier, and has on several occasions displayed conspicuous gallantry in the field, one act of his coming under the notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and his name afterwards appeared as mentioned in despatches.’

During the Great War Stringer served with the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in India, from November 1914 until January 1918, and in Aden from January 1918 until January 1919; sold with copied service papers.