Lot 112
Killed in Action Frederickstad – 25th October 1900 ‡
Clandestine Operations - Inc The D.J. Croll Medal Collection & Other Properties | M26002
Auction: 16 September 2026 at 10.30 BST
Description
The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private Frederick Barnett, 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers who was Killed in Action at Frederickstad on the 25th of October 1900 comprising, Queen’s South Africa Medal, 1899-1902, 2nd type, Ghost Dates, four clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, (5743 Pte F. Barnett. R. Welsh Fus:) impressed naming very fine (1)
The 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers sailed on the Oriental on 22nd October 1899 and arrived at the Cape about 13th November. They were sent on to Durban, and along with the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, and 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, formed the 6th Brigade under Major General Barton. The work of the brigade is sketched under the Royal Fusiliers, and that of the Natal Army generally under the 2nd Queen's.
At Colenso the losses of the Battalion were trifling.
When General Buller made his second attempt against the Colenso position the Battalion went out with Lord Dundonald to Hussar Hill on 12th February, and again on the 14th when the hill was finally occupied. All through the fourteen days' fighting the Battalion took its share. On the 24th the Royal Fusiliers and Royal Welsh Fusiliers were holding some kopjes near Langerwachte under very heavy shellfire and rifle-fire. On that day the Welsh Fusiliers lost Colonel Thorold, another officer, and 6 men killed, and 2 officers and 29 men wounded. The Battalion was not with General Barton in the assault on Pieter's Hill at the eastern end of the position. In the fourteen days the Battalion's losses were approximately 2 officers and 8 men killed, 2 officers and 60 men wounded.
Six officers were mentioned in General Buller's despatch of 30th March 1900, and 1 non-commissioned officer was recommended for the distinguished conduct medal.
In April 1900 the brigade was brought round to Cape Colony and concentrated at Kimberley. On 5th May the battle of Rooidam was fought, this Battalion and the Royal Fusiliers being in the first line. The subsequent history of the Welsh Fusiliers is very similar to that of the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, and reference is made to the notes under that Battalion.
For their work in the very arduous pursuit of De Wet, in August 1900, the Welsh Fusiliers as well as the Scots Fusiliers were highly praised by Lord Methuen.
At Frederickstad between 15th and 25th October 1900 General Barton had a lot of very severe fighting, in which the Battalion again gained great praise from the general and Commander-in-Chief. In these actions the Battalion had about 15 men killed and 3 officers and 30 men wounded.
Fred Barnett a Collier from Monmouth enlisted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the 5th of July 1898 stating that he was 20 years old. He served in South Africa from the 23rd of October 1899 until he was Killed in Action at Frederickstad on the 25th of October 1900.
Sold with Copy Service Papers and Copy Medal Roll confirming the four clasps.
