The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1487 Pte. A. F. Symons, C.I.V.) good very fine £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Andrew Fraser Symons was born in Gateshead in 1880. A blacksmith by occupation, he enlisted into the 2nd Tower Hamlets Rifles in 1898 and served with their five man detachment in South Africa during the Boer War in the Infantry Battalion of the City Imperial Volunteers. He was reported missing, on 12 June 1900, together with Private C. F. Moon, C.I.V., at the Battle of Diamond Hill. The two men, having been sent out to search for wounded, became cut-off and thereupon joined Kitchener’s Horse before re-joining the C.I.V. On casualty lists he is sometimes inaccurately shown as ‘Prisoner, Diamond Hill, 12-6-00, since released.’

Symons attested for the Middlesex Regiment on 1 September 1914, listing 8 years prior service in the 2nd Tower Hamlets Rifles on his form. Serving in the 12th Battalion initially, he was promoted Sergeant on 29 September 1914, transferred to the 14th Battalion on 15 June 1915, the 24th Battalion on 1 September 1916 and 5th Battalion, attached 24th Battalion, on 30 November 1918. Not having served overseas during the Great War, he has no Great War medal entitlement. He died at home, while on leave, from Bronchitis and Pneumonia on 18 January 1919.