Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (1275. Cr: Sjt: W. Croft. Vl. Co: Oxfd: L.I.) engraved naming, date clasp unofficially affixed and lacking top lugs, good very fine £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901:
‘For having rendered special and meritorious service.’

William Croft was a regular soldier and was awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1895. He was appointed to the Volunteer Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry for service in the South African War; he was later appointed to be Permanent Staff Instructor to 1st Buckinghamshire Rifle Volunteers. For his services in South Africa he was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch. He was discharged on 15 January 1902, aged 48 years and 7 months. Following the outbreak of the Great War he re-enlisted into the 2nd/1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in October 1914, and was re-numbered 2762. He saw home service only and was appointed to be Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major) on 29 January 1915. He was discharged in February 1916, in order to be appointed Barrack Warden, Chelmsford and District.