Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Captain C. W. Summers, 12th South African Mounted Rifles, formerly South African Constabulary

Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (2347 Tpr: C. W. Summers. S.A.C.); 1914-15 Star (Capt: C. W. Summers. 12th M.R.); British War and bilingual Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves these loose (Capt. C. W. Summers.) good very fine or better (4) £240-280

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 August 1918 (for German South West Africa).
The recommendation states: ‘This officer is commended for the praiseworthy manner in which he performed his duties, especially in consideration of the Transport difficulties he had to overcome. His duties were important to the whole Brigade.’

Charles William Summers was born at Ightham, Kent, on 3 August 1875, the son of Anne Summers, and lived in Petersfield, Hampshire. Prior to enrolment with ‘A’ Division, South African Constabulary, Summers had served for two years as a Private, ‘I’ Company, 3rd (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Volunteer Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. On 7 May 1902, Trooper Summers was found fast asleep in a blockhouse at Stony Kopje, Potchefstroom, found guilty of ‘gross irregularity on sentry’ and fined £5. He purchased his discharge in April 1904.
On the outbreak of the Great War he enrolled in the Krugersdorp Rifles, 12th Mounted Rifles, part of Southern Army 4th Mounted Brigade, on 25 October 1914, as Captain and Quarter Master. He served from 25 October 1914 until 26 May 1915, and was Mentioned in Despatches for services in German South West Africa. He died in Zeerust, Transvaal, in 1947.