Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (6292 Pte. G. Bundy. Border Regt.) nearly extremely fine £100-£140

George Bundy was born in Worcester in 1882 and attested for the Border Regiment at Carlisle on 4 October 1900, serving with the 1st and 2nd Battalions as Signaller in South Africa from 14 April 1902 to 21 September 1903; the recipient's Army Service record confirms entitlement but also notes a large number of incidents at Pretoria and Potchefstroom, notably drunkenness and creating a disturbance, failing to comply with an order and making improper remarks. Despite his conduct, Bundy remained with the Regiment and was discharged to Army Reserve at Manchester on 23 December 1912, his papers noting: 'A hard working, willing man... Very good character.’

Posted to the 3rd Battalion, Border Regiment, Bundy failed to appear at Battalion depot (Carlisle) upon mobilisation on 5 August 1914. Despite repeated attempts to summon him - including a curt letter to his wife Florence - he failed to engage; initially forfeiting pay for absence, he was declared a deserter and struck off strength on 22 December 1914. A subsequent application by Bundy's mother to the War Pensions Committee on 30 April 1917 noted that she was now alone in the care of her baby grandson. A clerk adds: ‘This soldier is stated to have enlisted in August, 1914, but has not been heard of for about two years.’ In common with many of those who deserted in 1914, it appears most likely that Bundy travelled abroad or changed his identity, possibly being conscripted under an alias from 1916.