The Collection of Medals formed by Dr A W Stott

Four: Major R. B. Blunt, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, mortally wounded in the Boer War
Queen’s Sudan 1896 (Lt. & Adjt. R. B. Blunt, 2/Lan. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Capt. R. B. Blunt, Lanc. Fus.); King’s South Africa, 2 clasps (Major R. B. Blunt, Lanc. Fus.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (Lieut. & Adjt. R. B. Blunt, 2nd L.F.) extremely fine (4)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed By Dr A W Stott.

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Robert Bruce Blunt was born on 7 March 1873, and educated at Rugby and Sandhurst. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant on 19 November 1892 and posted to the second battalion, which he joined in India. In January 1894 he became Lieutenant, in March 1896 he was appointed Adjutant, and in September 1899 he was promoted Captain. He was Adjutant of the 2nd battalion during the Nile Expedition and at the battle of Omdurman. After serving in Crete and Malta he returned to England and, in December 1899, accompanied his battalion to South Africa. He served with General Buller’s Ladysmith Relief Force, was present at the battle of Spion Kop and, on 20 January 1900, at Ventner’s Spruit, he was severely wounded in the leg and invalided to England. Impatient to rejoin, he returned to south Africa at the earliest possible moment, and was seconded as D.A.A.G. at Dundee. At this important post he did excellent work and proved himself a first rate Staff Officer. He was mentioned in despatches and promoted Brevet Major.

On the 19th February 1902, he was Acting Staff Officer to Colonel Evans, of the Natal Volunteers, who led a party to search a farm at Langelegan, twenty miles east of Vryheid. Colonel Evans left his men at some distance from the farm, and with Major Blunt went to the farm to demand the surrender of the inmates. When they were close to the house the Boers fired, killing Colonel Evans and dangerously wounding Major Blunt, who succumbed to his injuries on the following day. He was buried at Dundee.