Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between first and second clasps (29793. Dr. J. H. Heath. R.E.) edge bruise, very fine £80-£100

John Henry Heath was born in Reading, Berkshire, in 1877, and attested for the Royal Engineers on 17 April 1896. A moulder by profession with previous service in the 4th Battalion, Oxford Light Infantry, Heath suffered a wound to the left side on 6 July 1897. Recovered, he was posted to South Africa from 21 October 1899 to 4 December 1900 with the 8th (Railway) Company Detachment, Royal Engineers, and was later discharged upon termination of his first period of engagement on 16 April 1908.

Clasp entitlement not confirmed. The recipient’s Service Record confirms Cape Colony only, but the Medal Roll has a rather unclear ‘yes’ for the Belmont clasp.