AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE "BATTLE OF CHRISSE LAKE"
CASUALTY, QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL.
"DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH & BELFAST"
To:
4375 Pte J. CLAYTON. 19th (PRINCESS OF WALES) HUSSARS.
(John Clayton was from DULLINGHAM, Cambridgeshire)

KILLED-IN-ACTION 6th FEBRUARY 1901.

An exceptionally rare casualty medal to a Ladysmith Defender Cavalryman from a crack front line mounted unit who was killed at BOTHWELL'S VILLA during the infamous Boer night attack at Chrisse Lake when the 19th Hussars defended MAIDEN'S FARM.
There were only 25 medals awarded to men who died during this action.

[19th (PRINCESS OF WALES OWN) HUSSARS]
The regiment was in Ladysmith when the war broke out. They were not engaged at Elandslaagte, but were present and did good work at Rietfontein on 24th October 1899. At the battle of Lombard's Kop or Ladysmith, 30th October the 19th Hussars were with the 5th Lancers and some Natal Mounted Volunteers sent out under General French, but were unable to get as far as was intended, and had to be assisted in order to hold their own, and had subsequently to retire.

[THE DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH]
During the siege of Ladysmith the regiment frequently had some fighting. On the night of 7th December one squadron penetrated some four miles towards the north, destroying the enemy's telegraph line and burning various kraals and shelters ordinarily used by them.

[THE BATTLE OF CHRISSEE LAKE]
At 3:00am in the early morning of 6th January 1901, the day of the great Boer attack by Louis Botha at Chrisse Lake, two squadrons of the 19th Hussars famously held Maiden's Farm to prevent the Boers attacking Waggon Hill from the west, and part of the 19th were in the fight on the hill itself. As the conditions that night were foggy, the Boers were able to crawl toward our positions with 2,000 men in an attempt to overwhelm our troops. When the incoming enemy troops were spotted, much initial defending fire was laid down by the West Yorkshire regiment which killed over 20 of the Burghers. The attack was so sudden that many men were killed or wounded while asleep and there was vicious hand to hand fighting on the edges of our encampment which led to some 25 British casualties.

It was during this action that Sgt Traynor of 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt won his Victoria Cross for running out under heavy fire to rescue one of his men. Two officers of 19th Hussars were mentioned in Sir George White's despatch of 23rd March 1900.

After the Relief of Ladysmith the regiment was brigaded with the 5th Lancers and 18th Hussars under Major General Brocklehurst, and took part in the advance of General Buller to Volksrust and afterwards to Lydenburg, being constantly engaged.

A Wonderful & Rare Medal of Great Historical Importance.
The Medal is EF+ on Original Ribbon.

£1250 with part-exchanges welcome.