Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (9806 Pte. W. J. Park. Rifle Bde:) darkly toned, nearly extremely fine £280-320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the Boer War formed by Doug Jenkins.

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William John Park was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, in 1870 and attested for the Rifle Brigade at Winchester on 19 November 1888. He served with the Brigade in India and Hong Kong from October 1890 until February 1896, and transferred to the Army Reserve in that latter month. He was recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Boer War on 15 February 1900, and served in South Africa from March 1900. He was killed in action during an attack on a strong Boer position at Bergendal on 27 August 1900: ‘The Rife Brigade again advanced by rushes, and “there never was a waver from start to finish”. The Boers were routed, 19 prisoners were taken and 14 of their dead were found. The Rifle Brigade lost 3 officers killed or mortally wounded, and 21 riflemen killed or died of wounds, with 7 officers and 63 men wounded. Many heroic deeds were done in the assault, and Rifleman Durant was awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying Corporal Weller a distance of 200 yards under a very heavy fire.’ (Our Regiments in South Africa refers).