A UNIQUE St Helena "BOER WAR PRISON OFFICER" (Q.S.A.) Wiltshire Regt & 1914 Star & Bar Trio "La BASSEE CASUALTY"

KILLED IN ACTION on CHRISTMAS DAY 25th DECEMBER 1914.

To:
5902 Cpl (Wilts) & Pte 5064. A. MACKLIN Coldstream Guards.

[BIOGRAPHY]
Alfred Henry MACKLIN was born in Enford, Wilts 18th October 1881 and educated there. He was the son of William & Emily Macklin of Long Street. Enford, near Pewsey. Based on his service number he enlisted into the Wiltshire regiment in mid-late 1902 aged 21.

[DEADWOOD PRISON CAMP, ST HELENA]
An escape proof prison surrounded by thousands of miles of open ocean.

[WITH RARE "NO CLASP" QSA AWARDED TO THE WILTSHIRE REGT PRISON GUARDS]
During the Boer War a detachment of the Wiltshire Regt served out on the island of St Helena where they were in charge of Boer prisoners of war at Deadwood Prison Camp. Alfred served at Deadwood. These Wiltshire men were originally awarded the Cape Colony clasp but this was later cancelled to save money. (see included medal roll copy). He married Ellen Beatrice Eyres at Enford on 1st August 1908 age 27. The marriage produced a son, Reginald William MACKLIN who was born on 24th June 1909. After a year on St Helens he is next seen enlisting into the Coldstream Guards on 4th August 1903.

[TO FRANCE]
Alfred, being a pre-war reservist is next seen on 12th August 1914 arriving in France with The 2/Coldstream Guards who were one of the very first units to arrive in France just eight days after the declaration of the war.

Alfred took part in all the early actions of the war but was ironically Killed In Action on Christmas Day 25th December 1914 at La BASSEE aged 33. His records in The Roll of Honour state that he was originally buried "close to the west wall of the brewery at GIVENCHY", but clearly his grave was lost during the early fighting of 1915 and he is now commemorated with eternal honour on the Le Touret Memorial.
His widow Ellen is seen receiving £6/8/11d on 9th April 1915 for "herself & the children"

A possibly unique combination to a Boer War military prison guard who was tragically killed in action on Christmas Day 1914 (almost certainly shot by a German sniper) while many of the units on the Western front were taking part in the famous Christmas truce.

An excellent group in EF on original ribbons & much research paperwork.

SOLD