The Zulu War Medal awarded to Private R. Ayres, 94th Regiment of Foot, later 2nd Battalion, Connaught Rangers, who was killed in action at Bronkhorstspruit on 20 December 1880

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (1553. Pte. R. Ayres. 94th. Foot.) good very fine £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals for the First Boer War.

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Richard Ayres served with the 94th Regiment of Foot (later 2nd Battalion, Connaught Rangers) in South Africa from February 1879, including operations against the Zulu and Sekukini, and in the Transvaal during the First Boer War, where the regiment was heavily involved at the sieges of Lydenburg and Standerton.

Ayres was killed in action at Bronkhorstspruit on 20 December 1880. On this date, ‘Lieutenant-Colonel Anstruther of the 94th Regiment with 9 officers and 254 other ranks was marching from Lydenburg to Pretoria when he was ambushed 37 miles from his objective at Bronkhorst Spruit. He had been informed of the Boer rising and warned against being surprised, but even so the Boers’ tactics were of doubtful fairness since it was by no means certain that a state of war existed. The straggling columns of wagons was halted by a few Boers in an exposed spot, the Colonel was handed a proclamation ordering him to turn back; he was given only two minutes to reply, and when he refused fire was opened at once. The Boer leader, Joubert, had concealed about a thousand men in excellent firing positions, clearly expecting a refusal. The action lasted less than half an hour and amounted to a massacre.’ (Victorian Military Campaigns refers).

The 94th Foot suffered 54 killed in action, 21 died of wounds and 77 wounded in this action, as well as many taken prisoner.

Sold with copied medal roll extract.