The Exceptional Inter-War O.B.E., Boer War D.C.M. and Dated Bar Group of Nine to Quarter-Master and Major H.E. Worthing, The Rifle Brigade, Who Was Twice Wounded in South Africa

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The Exceptional Inter-War O.B.E., Boer War D.C.M. and Dated Bar Group of Nine to Quarter-Master and Major H.E. Worthing, The Rifle Brigade, Who Was Twice Wounded in South Africa

(a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Officer's (O.B.E), 1st type, Military Division, breast Badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London, 1919), the reverse of the suspension Crown privately engraved, 'Q.M. & Major H.E. Worthing'
(b) Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R., with Dated Bar for Second Award, '8th June 1901' (9738 C./Sjt., 4/Rifle Bde.)
(c) British South Africa Company's Medal, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (9738 Col. Sgt., 4/Rif. Bde.)
(d) Queen's South Africa, six clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (9738 Cr. Sjt., Rifle Brigade)
(e) King's South Africa, two clasps (9738 Qr. Mr. Serjt., Rifle Brigade)
(f) 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut., D.C.M., Rif. Brig.)
(g) British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt.)
(h) Army Long Service and Good Conduct, E.VII.R (9738 Sjt. Mjr., Rifle Bde.), contact wear, otherwise generally very fine (9)

Lot Essay

O.B.E. London Gazette 5.6.1924.

D.C.M. London Gazette 11.7.1902.

Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 11.7.1902.

Major H.E. Worthing, O.B.E., D.C.M., served with the Mounted Infantry during the Boer War and is listed as being wounded twice - at Stinkhoutboom on 24.6.1900 and in Clement's disaster at Nooitgedacht in 13.12.1900. He was Mentioned in Despatches twice and awarded the Bar to his Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry during the Guerilla War:
'In capture of Boer convoy near Rooival, Rustenburg district, June 8th 1901, headed a small number of men detached from their officers, and captured five wagons and carts under heavy fire; he has been three times wounded during the campaign and frequently brought to notice for good service' (War Office records refer).

There were six recipients of Dated Bars for the Boer War of whom only Worthing and Sergeant F.L. Andrews had won their first D.C.M. in the same Campaign.

Major Worthing was born in 1870, joined the Rifle Brigade in 1888 and served as Company Sergeant-Major in the Mounted Infantry Company commanded by Captain A.V. Jenner in the operations in Rhodesia 1896-97. He was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major of the 5th Battalion in 1906 and Quarter-Master in 1912. He served in France, the Balkans, Salonika and Russia during the Great War, being Mentioned in Despatches four times and promoted Major. During the Second World War Worthing served at Wellington Barracks when the 1st Battalion, London Rifle Brigade was mobilised.