Lot 140
South African Mounted Irregular Forces and a CMG and a CBE!
At Sea, On Land & In The Air | M24003
Auction: 24 September 2024 at 18:30 BST
Description
The CMG, CBE Boer War group of 6 awarded to Staff Sergeant Shirley Eaton South African Mounted Irregulars, South Africa Light Horse, later Administrative Secretary South African High Commission and main character in the “McIntosh Affair” Bechuanaland 1933 comprising, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, Companion neck Badge, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Commanders neck Badge (Civilian), both unnamed as issued, Queen’s South Africa Medal, 2nd type, ghost dates not visible, one clasp, Cape Colony, (1249 S. Serjt. S. Eales. S.A.M.I.F.), King’s South Africa Medal, two clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, (1249 S. Serjt. S. Eales. S.A.M.I.F.), both impressed naming, Jubilee Medal 1935, Coronation Medal 1937, both unnamed as issued, extremely fine (6)
Shirley Eales was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire on the 8th of October 1883, (incorrectly categorised as a “Girl” on his birth Certificate!, the 1884 census records him as residing in Dewsbury. His father, Reverand George Eales, a Baptist Minister, had the whole family emigrate to South Africa later that decade.
He attested for the South African Light Horse on the 29th of November 1899 at the age of 16. He served in the Second Boer War from the 29th of November 1899 until being demobilised on the 5th of July 1902 with the brank of Staff Serjeant at the age of 19.
After leaving the armed forces in 1902 he was employed as a part of the administrative staff of the British High Commission for South Africa. He initially rose to the position of Assistant Imperial Secretary and was awarded the OBE in 1924 due to his meritorious service. He continued his work in the High Commission and was awarded the CBE in 1928. He was further promoted to Imperial Secretary in 1931 when that title became obsolete he was appointed as Administrative Secretary to the High Commissioner on the 12st of April 1932.
In September 1932 he was transferred to the High Commissioners Office overseeing the British Protectorates in Southern Africa under Vice-Admiral ERGR Evans of Antarctic fame, and was made a Member of the Railway Commission of Southern Africa for the Bechuanaland Protectorate. In 1935 he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal of George V.
In 1934 he was awarded the Order of St Michael and St George , a Companion of said Order, for his role in defusing the risk of war between Tshekedi Khama, the Regent of the 60,000 strong Bangwato tribe and the then British Resident Commissioner stationed in Mafeking, Colonel Rey over the “McIntosh Affair”.
The McIntosh Affair
In the early 1930s in Serowe two tear-away white youths, Phineas McIntosh and Henry McNamee lacked cash to live the high life, but for three years they boozed, got drunk, fought and fornicated and generally caused chaos. When they were involved in yet another incident involving assault. Tshekedi heard the case in the Kgolta. What happened next is unclear because of the lack of written records. Tshekedi may or may not have sentenced McIntosh to be lashed. Of he did, McIntosh apparently moved towards Tshekedi, perhaps to appeal, Kgolta officials took the move as a threat, threw him to the ground and gave him two lashes.
In Pretoria Vice Admiral Evans was the acting British Hogh Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief of the African Station of the Royal Navy. Evans was a close friend of Oswald Pirow, the pro-Nazi South African Minister of Defence. Pirow was supportive of the idea that the British should bomb Serowe but was happy instead to help Evans and Rey put everything on a War footing by facilitating the movement through South Africa of 165 Marines and Naval Rating with four small field guns. Unfortunately such was their eagerness to put Tshekedi in his place, they had overlooked the need to Consult the Commissions legal advisor (Leslie Blackwell) or even to inform the Dominions Office in London.
Blackwell and Shirley Eales , Administrative Secretary were horrified that a small affair should not be taken so out of proportion and tried to get the expedition stopped. They failed.
The unbelievable farce was duly played out. McIntosh told the Enquiry that he had no complaints and respected Tshekedi as his Chief. The Royal Navy came to Serowe, pointed its guns at a gathering of incredulous Bangwato and assembled “whites” and then left. Tshekedi was banished to the Tati District for – 11 days then went to London to complain. A Tale of Colonial folly and injustice!
Shirley Eales retired to Cape Town in 1949 and died at Fish Hoek, Cape Town in 1964 at the age of 81.
Sold with a magnificent Silver Cigarette box with signatures inscribed across the lid. All Warrants for the CMG, CBE and OBE, Coronation and Jubilee Medals in cases of issue with award certificates, The CMG and CBE in Garrard & Co Ltd Cases of Issue. Written biographical details , copy enrolment from for the South African Irregular Forces, Original certificate of Discharge Original photograph in uniform. Employment letters, photographs in later life, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate. Passport
