The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry

Pair: Private M. Artz, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry, who died of wounds on 5 April 1917
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. M. Artz 1st. S.A.I.) glue residue to reverse of both, good very fine

Pair: Private B. W. Barralet, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry, who died of wounds on 10 April 1917
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. B. W. Barralet. 1st. S.A.I.) glue residue to the reverse of both, very fine (4) £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry.

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Martin Artz was born in Middelburg, South Africa, in 1897, and attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 18 August 1915. Initially posted to Alexandria in March 1916, he was transferred to Marseilles per Oriana the following month and is recorded as having died at No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station in northern France in the spring of 1917. He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension.

Sold with copied service record.

Boulden William Barralet was born in Barnes, Surrey, in 1897, and attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 26 August 1915. Embarked per H.M.T. Borolos for Matruh 31 January 1916, he was transferred to Marseilles on 20 April 1916 and served with “D” Company during the Battle of the Somme. Wounded in action on 17 July 1916, his service record notes a gunshot wound to the right arm and transfer to England from Rouen per H.S. Salta. Barralet recovered from this injury and rejoined his unit on the Western Front on 25 March 1917, but was wounded in action for a second time just a couple of weeks later on 9 April 1917. He died the following day; aged 20 years, he is buried at St. Nicolas British Cemetery in the Pas de Calais, France.

Sold with copied service record and a colour photograph of the recipient’s headstone.