Four: Private H. Valentine, Rifle Brigade, Queen's Sudan (3992 Pte., 2/R. Bde.); Queen's South Africa, six clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (3992 Pte., Rifle Bde.); King's South Africa, two clasps (3992 Pte., Rifle Brigade); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, one clasp, Khartoum (3992 Pte., 2 Rifle Bde.), regimentally impressed naming, generally very fine (4)

Details

Four: Private H. Valentine, Rifle Brigade, Queen's Sudan (3992 Pte., 2/R. Bde.); Queen's South Africa, six clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (3992 Pte., Rifle Bde.); King's South Africa, two clasps (3992 Pte., Rifle Brigade); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, one clasp, Khartoum (3992 Pte., 2 Rifle Bde.), regimentally impressed naming, generally very fine (4)

Lot Essay

Private H. Valentine was reported missing after Major Gough's Mounted Infantry was ambushed at Blood River on 17.9.1901.

What should have been a surprise attack by the British against Botha's Natal invasion force rapidly became an ineffectual defence against a charging Boer force of some 500. In an action which lasted only ten minutes, the British lost six Officers and 38 men killed or wounded and six Officers and 235 men missing. Lieutenant L. Price-Davies, King's Royal Rifle Corps, won the Victoria Cross for trying to save the guns of 69th Battery in this action.