A Collection of Medals to the Rifle Brigade

A very rare Boer War D.C.M. and Bar group of nine awarded to Major Harry Evans Worthing, O.B.E., Rifle Brigade
The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) 1st type, named on the reverse of the crown; Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R., with Second Award Bar dated ‘8th June 1901’ (9738 C/Sjt., 4/Rifle Bde); British South Africa Company Medal 1890-1897, reverse Rhodesia 1896 (9738 Col.Sgt., 4/Rif. Bde.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (9738 Cr.-Sjt., Rifle Brigade); King’s South Africa, 2 clasps (9738 Qr.-Mr.-Serjt., Rifle Brigade); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut., D.C.M., Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Q.M. & Capt.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (9738 Sjt.Mjr, Rifle Bde.) the earlier campaign medals with contact wear, nearly very fine, otherwise very fine or better (9)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Rifle Brigade.

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O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 5 June, 1924.
D.C.M. London Gazette 26 July, 1901.
Bar to D.C.M. ‘8th June 1901’ London Gazette 11 March, 1902; details London Gazette 20 August, 1901:- “In the capture of a Boer Convoy, near Rooival, Rustenburg District, 8th June, 1901, headed a small number of men detached from their Officers and captured five wagons and carts under heavy fire; has been three times wounded during campaign, frequently brought to notice for good service.”
Two officers and 29 other ranks of the 4th Rifle Brigade served in the Rhodesia campaign of 1896, Colour Sergeant Worthing being the senior N.C.O. present, in the Mounted Infantry Company commanded by Captain A. V. Jenner. During the Boer War he served with the 2nd battalion Mounted Infantry, as acting Sergeant Major, being slightly wounded at Stinkhoutboom on 27 July, 1900, and again wounded at Nooitgedacht on 13 December, 1900. He was mentioned in Lord Roberts’ despatch of 2 April, 1901, and awarded the D.C.M. and bar.
During the Great War Worthing, who had been promoted Lieutenant and Quarter-Master in 1912, served in France from 20 December, 1914, to 17 November, 1915; Greek Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, European Turkey, and the Islands of the Aegean Sea, 18 November, 1915, to 11 November, 1918; Russia from 17 December, 1918, to 12 March, 1919. He was four times mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 1 January, 1916 (France & Flanders), 28 November, 1917, 11 June, 1918, and 5 June, 1919 (all for services in Salonika). In further recognition of his services he was given the Honorary rank of Major and Quarter-Master. He was awarded the O.B.E. in 1924, and on his retirement the following year, he became Regimental Secretary to the London Rifle Brigade (T.A.), which post he gave up in 1934. During the Second World War he volunteered his help at Wellington Barracks when the 1st Bn. London Rifle Brigade was mobilized. The “Monger,” as he was affectionately called by his friends, died on 27 January, 1952.
Only twelve men won the distinction of a second award bar to their D.C.M. prior to the Great War. Uniquely, Sergeant T. H. Healey won the medal with two bars, all in the Sudan 1885-89. Seven bars were awarded during the Boer War, Worthing’s award being unique to the Rifle Brigade.