Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between third and fourth clasps (4581 Pte. E. Benton. Oxford: Lt. Inft.) edge bruising, polished, nearly very fine £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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Eli Benton was born at St. Asaph’s, Birmingham, in 1873 and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry at London on 24 October 1893, declaring himself as currently serving in 4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (his earlier service with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment had actually been terminated when he was discharged ‘with ignominy’, and sentenced to one year in prison, following a conviction for desertion with all former service being forfeited). He served with the 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, in South Africa during the Boer War, and was discharged ‘medically unfit for further service’ on 25 October 1901. He re-enlisted into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry for service in the Great War on 21 October 1914, and was serving at the Depot, before again being discharged medically unfit on 31 May 1915, after only home service.