Description

Queens South Africa Medal (1899 – 1902) with 6 clasps. TUGELA HEIGHTS, ORANGE FREE STATE, RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, TRANSVAAL, LAING’S NEK, SOUTH AFRICA 19801, period engraved named 3013 Pte W GREENING. 2/ Dorset Regt.  It comes with copies of service records and medal rolls.

William Greening was born in 1872 in Shapwick, Blandford, Dorset, England. A labourer by trade he enlisted into the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment on 7/2/1890. He transferred to the Army Reserve on completion of his enlistment on 3/2/1897.

Recalled for the Boer War on 11/11/1899 he served in South Africa with the 2nd Battalion from 24/11/1899 – 3/10/1901. The battalion saw several fierce actions the primary one being at the Battle of Alleman’s Nek. The Dorsets leading, attacked and captured the hill on the right of the Nek, a very strong position. The advance was admirably made, and the troops engaged were highly praised by General Buller. In his despatch of 19th June (Natal Despatches, p 93) he said, “I was much pleased with their action”. The battalion’s losses were approximately 9 men killed, 2 officers and 53 men wounded.

 He returned to England in October 1901 and was medically discharged on 15/5/1902.