Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Holland, 15th Hussars and Irish Yeomanry

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Lieut., 15th Hussrs.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, The Nile 1885-85 (Capt., 15/Husrs.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lt. Colonel, 13/Impl. Yeo.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, contact marks and polishing but generally nearly very fine (4) £500-600

Arthur Gambier Holland served with the 15th Hussars during both campaigns in Afghanistan. In the first campaign he served in the Quetta and Kandahar Field Forces, taking part in the advance on and occupation of Kandahar and Kalat-i-Ghilzai, and being present at the action of Takh-i-pul, when his squadron surprised and defeated the enemy cavalry, about 400 in number, on 4 January 1879. Holland was mentioned in despatches on this occasion. During the second campaign he served with the regiment in General Phayre’s Division (Medal). He next served in the Transvaal campaign during the 1st Boer War in 1881, for which no medals were awarded. He commanded the detachment of 2 officers and 42 men of the 15th Hussars that formed part of the Light Camel Regiment during the Nile Expedition 1884-85, and took part in the operations of the Desert Column including the engagement at Abu Klea Wells on the 16th and 17th February (Medal with clasp and Bronze Star).

He served with the 13th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer war and was captured along with the entire Battalion in the disaster that befell them at Lindley in May 1900. Holland was second in command of the battalion under Colonel B. Spragge, who was subsequently cleared of blame at the enquiry which followed some months later. The casualties suffered by the 13th Battalion at Lindley amounted to 1 officer and 15 men killed; 5 officers and 37 men wounded; and 21 officers and 440 men taken prisoner. Lord Roberts said of the disaster: ‘I consider General Colvile mainly responsible for the surrender of the Irish Yeomanry and would not let him retain his command.’ Colvile was consequently removed from command at Gibraltar and when he would not retire he was made to do so.