2 Bar Full Size QSA Boer War Medal to Johnston, Durham R.G.A. Artillery Militia

NEF, swivelling suspender, Natal and Transvaal clasps correctly revited and impressed:

1709 Gnr J. Johnston, Durham R.G.A.

With copy of roll confirming his entitlement to Transvaal and Natal clasps. He was also entitled to the 1901 clasp, but this is no longer present. Discharged term expired.

The Durham RGA played an illustrious part in the Boer war. On 26 September 1901, Fort Prospect, which was garrisoned by 35 men of the Dorset Mounted Infantry and 51 of the Durham Artillery Militia under Captain Rowley of the Dorsets, was attacked by 500 of Botha’s Boers, at 4.30 a.m., under cover of a mist in the donga. ‘The Boers,’ wrote Captain Rowley in his report, ‘made a very severe attack on the north and west of my position, the brunt of the attack fell on two sangars held by the Durham Company of Artillery; the Boers broke through the wire and got to within 20 yards of these sangars, but they both gallantly held their own and I, with the aid of the Maxim, was able to repulse this attack. By 6.30 a.m. the Boers drew off from this flank. They then commenced a very severe attack on the rear of my post, but by 10 a.m. it was repulsed. About this time a party of Zululand Native Police, gallantly led by Serjeant Gumbi, broke through and reinforced me; he brought with him 13 men and had marched 4 miles from his own post to reinforce me.

‘The Boers now had completely surrounded the camp, but contented themselves by keeping up a heavy fire chiefly directed on the Maxim Fort. This fire was kept up all day, gradually lessening towards evening, when the Boers drew off about 6 p.m.

‘My casualties were one killed and eight wounded, which, considering the severity of the fire, is very little. I consider it was owing to the excellent cover afforded by the forts and trenches, as we were subjected to very heavy firing for 13 hours. I estimate the strength of the Boers at from 500 to 600 men, and they belonged to the Ermelo or Carolina commandos. The casualties of the Boers are unknown, but two dead were buried at Polgeiter’s Farm. The prisoners who were taken at Itala say that the Boers own to having 60 killed and wounded in the attack on Fort Prospect. I picked up 30 dead horses next morning, also 2 rifles and 20 saddles.

‘I cannot close the report without mentioning the gallantry displayed by all ranks, especially by the Durham Company of Militia Artillery.’

The New York Times reported:-

'The defenses of Forts Itala and Prospect are regarded as among the finest performances on the part of the British in the course of the entire war. They saved Natal from invasion and greater loss was inflicted on the Boers than in any engagement of the campaign except Paardeburg'.

Shortly afterwards the Durham company was embarked for England.

Code: 51557