A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker

A Boer War civil C.B. pair awarded to Colonel E. H. Bearcroft, who commanded the 6th (Militia) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 1901-02

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1901, complete with swivel-ring suspension and riband buckle; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (Colonel E. H. Bearcroft, Worc: Rgt:) mounted as worn and contained in an old red leather Spink & Son case, minor official correction to surname on the last, good very fine (2) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker.

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C.B. London Gazette 26 June 1903.

Edward Hugh Bearcroft was born in 1852, the son of a Magistrate and landowner, Edward Henry Bearcroft of Mere Hall, Hanbury, Worcestershire. He was educated at Eton and the R.M.C. Sandhurst, before being commissioned Lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in March 1871.

Bearcroft advanced to Captain in August 1880, and to Major in April 1890. He was given command of the 4th (Militia) Battalion in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in August 1897.

Owing to the fact new Regular Army units were being raised for service in the Boer War, his unit was re-titled the 6th (Militia) Battalion in 1900, and he commanded it (22 officers and 560 men) in South Africa in 1902. He was appointed C.B. in the following year and retired as a Colonel in August 1905. He died at Mere Hall in January 1932.

Sold with file of copied research, including photographic images of recipient.