Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Royal Funeral’ R.V.M. Pair awarded to Sergeant H. Pettit, Coldstream Guards, who was personally decorated by King Edward VII in the garden of Marlborough House for his part in the bearer party at the funeral of Queen Victoria

Royal Victorian Medal, V.R., silver (8095. Sergt. H. Pettit. Coldm. Gds) contemporarily engraved; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein (8095 Sejt. H. W. Pettit, Cldstm: Gds:) mounted as worn, light contact wear, good very fine (2) £300-£400

Horace William Pettit was born in the Parish of St. Margaret’s, London, around 1874. He attested for the Coldstream Guards on 18 June 1890, and served in South Africa with the 3rd Battalion from 21 October 1899 to 13 August 1900. Advanced Sergeant, he served as part of the Bearer Party for the funeral of Queen Victoria at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was personally presented with his Royal Victorian Medal by H.M King Edward VII at Marlborough House on 18 March 1901. He was subsequently appointed to the Permanent Staff of the School of Instruction on 16 March 1901. His Army Service Record adds: ‘Discharged Sergeant, Medically Unfit, 20.10.1903.’