United Kingdom. A Queen’ South Africa Medal to Corporal Wellwood, Brabant’s Horse, Defence of Wepener and Escaped POW, 1901

Instituted 1899. In silver, the rim officially impressed 230 CORPORAL. R.J. WELLWOOD. BRABANT’S HORSE. with CAPE COLONY, WEPENER, TRANSVAAL and WITTENBERGEN clasps, replacement ribbon, a few small edge knocks, near extremely fine. 

Accompanied by photocopies of his several records. 

Footnote: Robert John Wellwood served as Corporal No. 230 in Brabant’s Horse during the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and took part in several key operations in the Orange Free State and Transvaal. He was present at the Defence of Wepener (9–25 April 1900), where a mixed British and Colonial garrison of roughly 2,000 men held a fortified position at Jammersberg Drift against repeated assaults by Boer forces under Generals Christiaan de Wet and Louis Botha. Despite heavy shellfire, supply shortages, and persistent attacks, the defenders maintained their positions until relieved, making Wepener one of the most determined defensive stands of the war and an important delay to Boer mobility in the region.

Wellwood also served during operations connected to the Wittebergen campaign (July 1900), a wide-ranging British encirclement operation in the eastern Orange River Colony aimed at trapping Boer commandos operating under de Wet. Although many Boer forces ultimately evaded capture by breaking through the cordon, the campaign resulted in the surrender of a significant number of fighters and further weakened organized resistance in the region. 

Wellwood later continued active service with Brabant's Horse, and was captured near Krugersdorp on August 25, 1901. He later escaped captivity, and rejoined his regiment.

Provenance: Sold by City Coins, South Africa Auction No. 67, Lot 33, 2016.