Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine and Regimentally unique ‘Abu Klea’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant C. Small, Connaught Rangers, who ‘repeatedly, alone, charged the enemy, who had entered the square’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Ser.... Small. Conn: Rang: 17....nr 1885); South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (1559 Sergt. C. Small. 94th Foot.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (1559 ..ergt. C. Small. 2/Conn Rangs); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued, with ornate silver quadruple top riband bar, contact marks, therefore good fine or better (4) £3000-4000

D.C.M. awarded for the battle of Abu Klea, 17 January 1885. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 25 August 1885, the details of which appeared in The Times, 26 November 1885:

‘At Abu Klea he repeatedly, alone, charged the enemy, who had entered the square, and by his personal courage and leading contributed much to the ultimate expulsion of the enemy.’

His D.C.M. was presented to him by the Queen at Windsor Castle, 25 November 1885.

Charles Small was born in South Stoneham, Hampshire, and attested for the 94th Foot at Aldershot, August 1870. He served with the Regiment in South Africa, February 1879 - April 1882, including operations against the Zulu and Sekukini, and in the Transvaal during the First Boer War.

The 2nd Battalion, 94th Foot were heavily involved in the First Boer War, in particular at the sieges of Lydenburg and Standerton, and at Bronkhorst Spruit where ‘Lieut-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 Bronkhorstspruit [sic]. 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.

Small was promoted Sergeant in September 1881. He served in Egypt and the Sudan, August 1884 - August 1885, including as the Senior N.C.O. of the small detachment of the Regiment that acted as mounted infantry for the Gordon Relief Expedition. This detachment consisted of 1 officer and 25 men, with Small distinguishing himself in the square at Abu Klea. The 94th suffered one killed in action at Abu Klea, one died of wounds at Metemmeh, and seven wounded. Small was promoted Colour Sergeant in April 1886. He was discharged ‘medically unfit’, 12 November 1888, after 18 years and 87 days’ service with the Colours.