Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private A. Settle, Lancashire Fusiliers

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (4568 Pte., Lanc. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4568 Pte., Lanc. Fus.) edge bruising, very fine (2) £200-250

Abner Settle was born in Bury, Lancashire in 1875, the son of Abner and Sarah Ann Settle. A Mule Piercer by occupation and a member of the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Militia, he attested for regular service with the regiment at Bury on 23 September 1893, aged 18 years, 3 months. He was posted to the 1st Battalion. Convicted of absence and breaking into quarters, he was imprisoned with hard labour, 22 October-4 November 1898 and was again imprisoned with hard labour for absence, 13 February-26 February 1899. With the 2nd Battalion he served in the Boer War, December 1899-September 1902; Settle being present with the battalion at the battle of Spion Kop, 23/24 January 1900 in which the regiment took heavy casualties. Fortunate to escape injury and death in this and other actions, Settle then transferred to the Army Reserve in December 1902 and was discharged on 22 September 1905. Abner Settle married Mary Alice Molyneux at Bury Parish Church on 29 October 1902, listing his occupation at that time as Labourer. With his wife he lived at 32 Bank Top, Radcliffe. He died on 13 October 1906 - drowning in the Bury and Bolton Canal at Lower Hinds, Elton, whilst under the influence of drink.

With a quantity of research including a copy of Medal News, December 2012/January 2013, containing the article, No Armour Against Fate, The Story of Abner Settle, by Ken Marsh; copied service papers; census extracts; certified copies of his marriage and death certificates; page extract from The Bury Times, 17 October 1906 - containing the coroner’s report on Settle’s death.