Boer War 12th Lancers and WW1 A.S.C. medal group to Sergeant W. Axtell, who drove a Holt steam tractor towing 9.2-inch howitzers for the 79th Siege Battery in France.

Queens South Africa Medal 1899 - 1902, 3 clasps, CAPE COLONY, JOHANNESBURG, WITTEBERGEN, impressed named 4587 PTE W.G. AXTELL. 12: R: LANCERS; Kings South Africa Medal 1901 – 02, 2 clasps SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, impressed named 4587 PTE W.G. AXTELL. 12TH LANCERS; British War and Victory medals, impressed named M-280207 SJT. G.W. AXTELL. A.S.C. Period swing mounted on a most unusual brass fitting broach. Note: the QSA swivel has been fixed in place. Comes with a Regimental silver medallion obverse Regimental badge, reverse ‘GENERAL RUSSELLS PRIZE’ FOR BEST MAN AT ARMS IN REGIMENT won by 1905. (name space void apart from letter P). Comes with copies Boer War and WW1 service papers and medal rolls.

George William Axtell was born in Ewell, Surrey 1878, a labourer by trade he enlisted on the 14/12/1898 at Kingston on Themes to the 12th lancers. (Service No 4587), serving Home 14/12/1898 – 27/2/1900, South Africa 28/2/1900 – 10/10/1902. The 12th Lancers saw constant action throughout the campaign including the battle of Diamond Hill where the Commanding Officer, the Earl of Airlie, was killed leading a charge to save the field guns. On conclusion of the campaign the Regiment was sent to India 11/10/1902 – 12/3/1907, Home 13/3/07 – 14/3/07. He transferred to the Army Reserve 15/3/07 – 13/12/10 and shortly thereafter discharged. WW1: Attested 12/12/1915 but was not mobilised until 11/9/16, by now he was 40 with a wife and 4 children. Posted to the 7th Reserve Cavalry 16/9/1916. (Service no. 24184), compulsory transferred and posted Army Service Corps (Motor transport) Grove park 5/5/1917, Tactor Depot (Service No M-280207). 9/5/1917 trade tested Steam driver assessed as “Fair” and promoted Sgt 14/12/1917. France 20/12/17 with the 604 M.T. Coy attached 79th Siege Battery. The Battery was equipped with 4 x 9.2 Howitzers. The gun was transported in three loads - body and cradle, bed, barrel - towed by a Holt tractor. He served with the Battery until 16/3/1919 when he fractured his right clavicle and was returned to England to be transferred to class Z 15/10/19.