FIRST INTO MAFEKING
Pair: British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97 , reverse undated, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1890 (Tpr. G. Seymour. B.S.A.C.P.) & Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902 , 4 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (570 Sjt: G. Seymour. Imp: Lt. Horse)
George Seymour attested for the British South Africa Company Police on 4 March 1890, being assigned the regimental number ‘399’. He served in “E” Troop in the Pioneer Column of 1890, and was discharged on 25 November 1891.
When war broke out again and as an experienced soldier, George found his way into the elite group under the control of Major Karri-Davies in the Imperial Light Horse . Instrumental in the relief of Ladysmith where they disabled two Boer "Long Tom" artillery guns on Gun Hill, and when challenged by a Boer picket, Major Davies bellowed the command "Fix bayonets and charge the buggers" (The Boer War, Thomas Pakenham, pg 271), It was not long after Sergeant Seymour volunteered and went on with seven others to personally relieve (break) the siege of Mafeking with a gallant charge into the town alongside their fearless leader Major Karri-Davies, thus ending the siege after 217 days. The picture above is in relation to a silver salver than was presented to all nine men for their heroics.
BSA Medal and clasp is confirmed in the roll by Colin Owen. Only 112 medals were issued to the British South Africa Company's Police for Mashonaland 1890, including 73 with this single clasp.
QSA confirmed on medal roll with only 209 medals issued with Relief of Mafeking and Relief of Ladysmith clasps.
Note: Major Karri Davies (West Australian), who was a personal friend of Cecil Rhodes, took part in the Jameson Raid. He was captured by Kruger's forces, and sentenced to imprisonment for two years. He and Major Woolls-Sampson were the last two imprisoned and refused to admit defeat. When the Boer War broke out Major Karri Davies and Major Woolls-Sampson recruited the Imperial Light Horse, 500 strong, and for this body they provided the entire equipment at their own expense. Colonel Davies went through the siege of Ladysmith, and it was during the siege that he received the severe wounds from which he never completely recovered. Karri-Davies was the first to enter Mafeking when the siege of that city was raised and it was acknowledged that he refused a VC and have his CB removed from the London Gazette as "he does not fight for medals but for his Queen". A truly amazing man.
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