orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

November 22, 2012 - LoNdoN
19
The Boer War D.C.M. Group of Eight to
Squadron Sergeant Major G.W. Mortiboy, 18th
Hussars, attached Bethune’s Mounted Infantry,
Later City of London Imperial Yeomanry
a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt:-
Maj: G.W. Mortiboy. Bethune’s M.I.)
b) Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, six clasps, Cape
Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of
Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (2734 Sq. Sjt. M:
G.W. Mortiboy. 18/Hrs.)
c) King’s South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (2734 S.
Serjt:-Maj: G. Mortiboy. 18th. Hussars)
d) Defence Medal
e) Coronation 1902, bronze
f) Coronation 1937
g) Army Long Service & G.C., E.VII.R. (2734 Sq: Sjt:
Maj: G.W. Mortiboy. 18th. Hussars.)
h) Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Sq. S. Mjr.
G.W. Mortiboy. D.C.M. 18-Hrs.), very fine or better,
with the following related items:
- A silver three piece presentation tea set, by Joseph
Rodgers and Sons, Sheffield, silver (Hallmarks for
Sheffield 1910), the tea pot inscribed ‘Presented to
S.S.M. G.W. Mortiboy by his comrades in the City of
London Yeo. (Rough Riders) on his retirement 1st
May 1911’
- A silver 12-inch presentation salver, by Joseph Rodgers
and Sons, Sheffield, electro-plated, inscribed ‘Presented
to S.S.M. G.W. Mortiboy by the Members of
Permanent Staff City of London Yeo. (Rough Riders)
on his retiring 1st May 1911’
- The recipient’s Bible, given to him by his
grandmother, with handwritten details of his military
service on the flyleaf
- Three photographs of the recipient (lot)
£3,000-3,500
D.C.M. London Gazette 31.10.1902 Sergeant-Major G.W.
Mortiboy, Bethune’s Mounted Infantry
‘In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa.’
19
31
Squadron Sergeant Major George William Mortiboy,
D.C.M., born Edmonton, Middlesex, 1864; enlisted in the
18th Hussars, October 1884; promoted Corporal, May
1888; Sergeant, September 1889; served with the Regiment
in India from September 1891 to October 1898; promoted
Squadron Sergeant Major, May 1894; sailed with the
Regiment to South Africa in October 1898, and saw action
during the Boer War, both with the 18th Hussars and
subsequently on attachment with Lieutenant-Colonel
Bethune’s Mounted Infantry from 20.12.1899: ‘While we
were at Ladysmith a force under Colonel Bethune had been
holding Greytown and the line of the Tugela, that force
being five squadron’s Bethune’s M.I., one squadron Umvoti
Mounted Rifles, two 12-pounders, R.G.A., two 7-pounders,
Natal Field Artillery, two Hotchkiss, Natal Field Artillery, and
six companies of Imperial Light Infantry. This force I had
directed to advance concurrently with our advance on
Vermaak’s Kraal, and we established connection with it on
the morning of the 13th May. Colonel Bethune’s
arrangements had been very good. He had seized during the
night, with his left, the hills which commanded the southern
sides of the pass up which we had to approach. Shortly before
noon we advanced up the pass. The enemy made a poor
defence and fled, pursued by the Colonial mounted troops
Natal was, almost without loss, cleared of the enemy’
(General Buller’s Despatch, dated 24.5.1900 refers). Twice
Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 8.2.1901 and
29.7.1902), the first being in the despatch mentioned above,
and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; awarded the
Coronation Medal 1902 for being part of the Coronation
Contingent; Awarded L.S.&G.C., 11.4.1903; transferred to
the City of London Imperial Yeomanry (Rough Riders),
16.5.1903; discharged, 1.5.1911; re-enlisted for service
during the Great War in the City of London Yeomanry
Reserve, 14.9.1914, and served throughout the War in
England as Regimental Sergeant Major; retired, 23.5.1919.
Squadron Sergeant Major Mortiboy was awarded
Meritorious Service Medal in June 1939, and died in
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 12.3.1948.