medal code j2806

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A RARE DATED BOER WAR D.C.M. AWARDED TO A RIFLEMAN OF THE COMPOSITE RIFLE BATTALION FOR HIS GALLANTRY AT THE BATTLES FOR HART’S AND WYNNE’S HILLS DURING BULLER’S FINAL PUSH TOWARDS LADYSMITH ON 23 FEBRUARY 1900

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, V.R. ‘9520 PTE. W. T. ADAMS, 2ND RIFLE BRIGADE 23-2- 00’

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 April 1901; Army Order 163 of 1901; details are from General Buller’s dispatch, 30 March 1900, published in the London Gazette 8 February 1901:

‘23 February 1900 - “9893 Private J Brown and 9520 Pte T Adams, 23rd February: Gallantry in repeatedly carrying wounded to dressing station under very heavy fire”.

William Thomas Adams, an 18 year old laborer from Poplar, London. He enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on 6 March 1888, noting previous service with the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Militia). Adams served in the East Indies, 12 February 1890 – 29 November 1894 and Hong Kong, 30 November 1894 – 5 February 1896, before a period of home service. He then served in South Africa (Boer War) from 13 December 1899.

Adams service during the Boer War

The 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade had arrived in South Africa on 26 October 1899. Rifleman Adams arrived in South Africa with drafts towards the end of that year, his service papers noting he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, dated 3 January 1900 (Depot crossed out). However, since the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade was part of the force besieged at Ladysmith, the drafts that arrived for the 2nd Battalion, along with drafts for the 1st and 2nd battalions of King's Royal Rifles, were formed into a scratch battalion, variously known as the Composite Rifle Battalion, or the Rifle Reserve Battalion. This battalion was initially posted to Frere and then Chieveley, mainly on guard duty, before joining General Buller’s force in its final push to relieve Ladysmith. The battalion was involved in battles around Hart’s and Wynne’s Hills on the 23 February and it was for his gallantry on this day that Rifleman Adams was awarded the D.C.M.

On Ladysmith being relieved, the Composite Rifle Battalion was disbanded, the Officers and men joining their battalions which had defended the town……………………

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Condition very minor edge bruise, otherwise NEF, lovely patina. Sold with copies of QSA roll and LG pages as well as two articles from the OMRS Journal (June & December 2003) on Dated Boer War DCM’s. Ex DNW 2016.

Not only is the a rare dated D.C.M., being one of about a dozen known but having a citation giving the reason for the award is very scarce as most Boer War D.C.M.s have none.

Code J2806        Price £2985