A Fine C.M.G.`Fighting,Boer War` D.S.O Group of Eleven to Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Berkeley, 1st Battalion, The Welch Regiment. a) The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George Companion`s (C.M.G.) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel. b) Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel with integral top-riband bar. c) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Military Division, member`s (M.B.E.) breast badge, silver hallmarked 1919. d) Queen`s South Africa 1899-1902, six clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Drietontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (Lieut. C.R.Berkeley. D.S.O. Welsh. Rgt.). e) King`s South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (Lieut. C.R. Berkeley. D.S.O. Welsh Rgt.). f) 1914 Star, with bar (Captain C.R. Berkeley. D.S.O. Welsh:R). g) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaves (Lt. Col. C.R. Berkeley. D.S.O. Welsh: R.). h) India General Service 1908-35, G.V.R., one clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (Lt. Col. C.R. Berkeley. Welch R.). i) France, Republic, Legion of Honour, Knights breast badge, silver gilt and enamel, wreath suspension, minor white enamel damage. j) France, Croix De Guerre, 1914-1916 with palm. Mounted for wearing, together with related dress miniatures. Lt. Colonel Christopher Robert Berkeley was born on the 18 January 1877, son of Major Henry William Berkeley. He was educated at Oratory School, and at Sandhurst, and joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Welsh Regiment 8 September 1897, becoming Lieutenant 5 July 1899. He served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg, and the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein (severely wounded), Vet River and Zand River operations in the Transvaal, May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 2 November 1900, including action at Belfast; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900, to 31 May 1902 serving from 14 April, 1902, as Assistant Provost-Marshal. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen`s Medal with six clasps, the King`s Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Christopher Robert Berkeley, Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was promoted Captain in the Welsh Regiment 13 May 1904; was Adjutant from 11 March 1904 to 10 March 1907, and Adjutant of Militia and in the Special Reserve from 27 February 1908 to 26 February 1912. Captain Berkeley served in the European War; was Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Brigade, BEF, 26 February 1915 to 15 April, 1916, being promoted Major 1 September 1915 and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1916; was employed as DAA and QMG, 15th Division, France, 16 April to 27 August 1916; as AA and QMG, 15th Division, 28 August 1916 to 25 October 1918, then becoming AQMG, QMG`s Branch, GHQ, France. He was wounded; mentioned in Despatches six times; was created a CMG in 1917 and an OBE in 1919, and received the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre avec Palme. Lieutenant Colonel Berkeley married, in 1919, Nest, youngest daughter of Colonel J A Bradney, CB, of Talycoed Court, Monmouth The Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, The First Battalion, The Welch Regiment. In October 1899, the Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State declared war on Great Britain. At first the war went badly for the British, Ladysmith and Kimberley were besieged and attempts to relieve them failed. By the time the 1st Battalion The Welch Regiment arrived in South Africa, Lord Roberts had been appointed commander of forces, their first object along with others, was to relieve Kimberly. Having managed to cut off the Boer main force after their retreat, the 1st Battalion faced Cronje and the rest of his army at Paardeberg, and on the 18th February 1900 the battle began, the 1st were heavily engaged and received special mention for a gallant charge, by the 27th of that month, Cronje and his men surrendered, the British advance continued on to Bloemfontein, the capital of the Orange Free State On the 10th March a strong force of Boers barred the way at Driefontein, posted on the heights, the 1st Battalion were ordered to storm these positions, whilst the Yorkshires and the Essex moved on either flank. The ground was bare and offered little cover, the advance was made fifty yards at a time under heavy fire, two other battalions were thrown into the fight, and eventually the whole line fixed bayonets and charged. This action cost the lives of 140 men including the Adjutant, Captain Lomax, who had behaved with the greatest gallantry. The advance continued, both Bloemfontein and Pretoria were captured mainly unopposed with little fighting, although the battalion were once again engaged at the action of Diamond Hill, garrison duties followed, until peace was declared in 1902 The battalion were awarded two Companions of the Bath, six Distinguished Service Orders and twelve Distinguished Conduct Medals. Losses included five officers and sixty seven soldiers killed in action, while four officers and one hundred and thirteen soldiers died of disease and accidents. Visit www.dnfa.com for condition reports
