United Kingdom. A Pair of Queen’s and King’s South Africa Medals to Trooper R. Martin

A Queen’s South Africa Medal, in silver, rim officially impressed 589 TPR. R. MARTIN. IMP. L.I. with TUGELA HEIGHTS, RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, TRANSVAAL, LAING’S NEK, CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE clasps (worn out of typical order), dark patina, light scratches, very fine condition. 

A King’s South Africa Medal, in silver, rim officially impressed 386 TPR. R. MARTIN. NATAL V.C.R. with SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and SOUTH AFRICA 1902 clasps, dark patina, minor wear, extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: Richard Martin is on the Nominal Roll for the Queen’s South Africa Medal, with the Imperial Light Infantry. The Imperial Light Infantry was a Natal volunteer infantry regiment raised in 1899 for service in the Second Boer War. Recruited largely from Natal civilians, it distinguished itself during the Battle of Spion Kop and the operations leading to the Relief of Ladysmith, suffering heavy casualties while reinforcing British attacks on Boer positions. The regiment subsequently served in Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange Free State before being disbanded after the war.

R. Martin is also on the nominal roll for the King’s South Africa Medal, with the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment. The Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment was a mounted colonial unit formed from several Natal volunteer corps at the outbreak of the Second Boer War. Serving chiefly in Natal, it performed scouting, reconnaissance, and communication-protection duties during the Boer invasion of the colony, participated in operations associated with the defence and relief of Ladysmith, and later took part in patrol and anti-guerrilla operations against Boer commandos before being disbanded after the war.