Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (26099 Corpl: J. Abel. 36th. Coy. Imp: Yeo:) minor edge bruising, good very fine £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Queen’s South Africa Medals to the Imperial Yeomanry.

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John Abel was born in Coltishall, Norfolk in 1879 and attested for the Imperial Yeomanry at Maidstone, Kent, on 9 February 1901, whilst currently serving with the 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. He served with the 36th (West Kent) Company, 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa during the Boer War from 13 March 1901 to 27 August 1902, was promoted Corporal on 20 November 1901, and was slightly wounded at Tweefontein on Christmas Day 1901. He was discharged on 3 September 1902, after 1 year and 207 days’ service.

Sold with copied service papers, a hand-written note on which says ‘K.I.A. 1st World War’. A 18874 Private John Abel (age unknown), who served with the 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, was killed in action on the Western Front on 12 October 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, although he is recorded as having been born in Cantley, Norfolk, not Coltishall.