BOER WAR AND LONG SERVICE MEDAL GROUP 3678 WILLIAM NORTH 18TH HUSSARS & WW1

Offered is a multi action Boer War & long service medals set to Squadron Sargent Major William North, who enlisted with the 18th Hussars in 1890 and served with them until 1911. The unit saw heavy fighting during the campaign. He later re-joined in WW1 to serve with the Gloucestershire Hussars.

Offered is a Queens South Africa Medal (1899 – 02), 5 clasps: TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, LAINGS NEK, BELFAST, period engraved 3678 Serjt. W. NORTH. 18 / Hrs.; Kings South Africa Medal (1902), 2 clasps: SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, impressed named 3678 SERJT: W. NORTH. 18TH HUSSARS.; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (G.VII.), impressed named 3678 S.S.MJR: W. NORTH. 18/HRS. Court period silver plated & mounted for display. Comes with copies service papers, medal rolls, pension claim, print out of C Squadron list & 18th Hussars Boer War history.

13th Hussars is the only cavalry unit to be awarded the clasp Talana.

William North was born in July 1872 in Holybourne, Hampshire, a groom by trade he enlisted with the 18th Hussars at Canterbury 11/11/1890 and was given the service number 3678.

He served Home 11/11/90 – 12/11/92. India 13/11/92 – 14/10/98 (Qualified signaller 1/11/95). South Africa 15/10/98 – 30/7/1902. Home 31/7/02 – 10/11/11 and discharge at 21 years’ service.

North was clearly a fine soldier; he was promoted to Lance Corporal 28/10/91. Corporal 19/2/96. Lance Sergeant 4/1/97. Sergeant 12/6/99. Squadron Sargent Major 1/1/08.

Granted Long Service Medal with gratuity 10/4/1909. In 21 years of service, he was never subject to any disciplinary action.

He re-enlisted at Guildford on the 30/6/1918 to the 5th Reserve Cavalry with his old rank of S.S.M and the new number 17/43584, his occupation recorded as ‘publican’. On the 18/6/18, posted to the 2/1/ Gloucestershire Hussars and on the 15/1/1919 demobilised.

At the outbreak of hostilities on 11/10/1899, the 18th Hussars were one of only two regular cavalry regiments in South Africa. Sergeant North was serving with ‘C’ Squadron. In the Battle of Talana Hill, on 20/10/99, part of the regiment was cut off by Boer forces and about 249 officers and men, including Lieutenant Colonel Benhardt Moller, were taken prisoner (Relieved of his command as a result). The reorganised regiment subsequently saw action during the Siege of Ladysmith. They stayed in South Africa throughout the war, which ended June 1902 with the Peace of Vereeniging. Four months later, 590 officers and men left Cape Town on the SS Englishman in late September 1902, and arrived at Southampton in late October, when they were posted to Aldershot Garrison.

An excellent unit history is available THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF THE XVIIITH (PRINCESS OF WALES'S OWN) HUSSARS. Sgt North is listed under C Squadron.