Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce South Africa 1877-79 Medal awarded to Trooper W. Rusch, 1st Cape Mounted Yeomanry, who was wounded in action in the second assault on Morosi’s Stronghold on 5 June 1879

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Tpr. W. Rusch 1st Cape Yeory.) good very fine £1,200-£1,600

W. Rusch served in the 1st Cape Mounted Yeomanry during the Morosi campaign of 1879. This unit saw a good deal of action at Morosi’s Mountain in 1879 and Basutoland in 1880, suffering many casualties. Trooper Rusch is listed as wounded during the second failed assault on Morosi’s Mountain on 5 June 1879 (confirmed in published Casualty roll), his Regiment suffering 20 killed and wounded, and the 2nd Regiment loosing a further 12 men. For his gallantry during the assault, Surgeon Major Hartley would be awarded the Victoria Cross.

A trooper De Rusch, 2nd Cape Mounted Yeomanry is listed in the London Gazette, 14 December 1880 as slightly wounded at Mohalie’s Hoek on 4 October 1880. Whether this is the same man is as yet unknown.