Lot 3580

Description

Pair: Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, (type 2 reverse), - three clasps - Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (EVIIR).421 Gr: G.F.Fletcher, R. Candn: F.A. on first medal, Sergeant G.F.Fletcher 1st Regt C.A. on second medal. Both medals impressed. Hairlines on both and a metal flaw on reverse of second, otherwise good very fine.

Gunner George Frederick Fletcher, wood turner, age 25, born at Leicester, England; Enl.04Jan1900 at Quebec in Royal Canadian Field Artillery, E Battery; WIA 30Jun1900, at Faber's Put; Disch.08Jan1901.

The Battle at Faber's Put in part involved E Battery of the Royal Canadian Field Artillery which was waiting at the farm there for supplies. At night the farm was surrounded by 600 Boers and some of these crept past British outposts and at dawn they mounted an intense attack. While the British Yeomanry engaged the Boers at close range, two Canadian 9-man gun teams brought the artillery into action. They lost one man with seven wounded including Gunner Fletcher. This battle was one of the most desperate actions fought by the Canadians during the war and they gained little recognition for their actions.