Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private M. Bitten, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, later Middlesex Regiment

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4851 Pte. M. Bittern [sic], 1st. L.N. Lanc: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4851 Pte. M. Bitten. L.N.Lanc: Regt.); 1914 Star (G-349 Pte. M. Bitton [sic]. 4/Midd’x R.); British War and Victory Medals (349 Pte. M. Bitten. Midd’x R.) minor contact marks, very fine (5) £240-£280

Mark Bitten was born in Spitalfields, London, in 1875. He attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 8 June 1895, and served in Ceylon from 22 October 1896 to 10 February 1899, and South Africa from 11 February 1899 to 3 October 1902. Present at Belmont on 23 November 1899, he witnessed the successful assault on the Boer position at Belmont kopje. Two days later, at Enslin on 25 November 1899, the Loyals had heavy work and did well; in his telegram of 26 November 1899, Lord Methuen noted, ‘The Naval Brigade, Royal Marines, 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry and Loyal North Lancashire Regiment especially distinguished themselves.’

This success was repeated not long afterwards at Modder River, where a half-battalion of the Loyal Lancashire Regiment again did splendid work, being the first troops to attempt the crossing on the British left and seizing some kopjes which were of great value afterwards. In both engagements they escaped with comparatively slight casualties, around 30 altogether. Railed to Transvaal, the 1st Battalion spent much of the remainder of the war combating guerilla tactics, including a particularly obstinate stand by the Boers at Haartebeestfontein. In his telegram of 21 February 1901, Lord Kitchener mentioned the Loyals as having ‘greatly distinguished themselves.’

Returned to England and transferred to Army Reserve, Bitten enjoyed a somewhat tense correspondence with the authorities when it emerged that he had lost his identity certificate from his home address in Limehouse. His papers note: ‘it got into the hands of my child and got burned’. Discharged in 1911, he returned to service with the Middlesex Regiment during the Great War and likely resumed his livelihood as a labourer upon the cessation of hostilities.

Sold with copied Army Service Record.