A fine Officer’s Boer War and 1911 Delhi Durbar group awarded to Captain, later Lieutenant Colonel J.H. Ansley, 1st later 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment who would see service during the Boer War in South Africa on operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal and later at the Delhi Durbar held in December 1911 at which time he was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion in Poona. He retired on 17th December 1913.
Group of 3: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 3 Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal; (CAPT J.H. ANSLEY. 1ST L.N. LANC:REGT) King’s South Africa Medal, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (MAJOR J.H. ANSLEY. L.N. LANC. RGT.) Delhi Durbar Medal 1911 in silver, unnamed as issued.
Condition: wear to the rim of the KSA at 3 o’clock affecting the rank, Good Very Fine
John Henry Ansley was born on 29th April 1863 and was appointed Second Lieutenant on 23rd October 1880, initially serving with 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
He was promoted Lieutenant on 9th September 1882 and Captain on 12th December 1892. From 24th February 1896 until 23rd February 1899 he was the District Inspector of Musketry. He would serve in South Africa during the Boer War on operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and was promoted Major with the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 1st June 1902 while still with them in South Africa.
Promoted 2nd in Command of 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 1st June 1906. In 1909 he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 17th December 1909 and became the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion in Poona, India until his retirement on the 17th December 1913.
The entry in the Quarterly Army List of 1915 states. ‘Lt Colonel on retired pay. South African War 1899-1902 – advance on Kimberley. Operations in the Orange Free State Apr to May 1900. Operations in the Orange Free State April to May 1900. Operations in Orange River Colony, May to July 1900 including actions at Lindley on 1st June and Rhenoster River. Operations in Cape Colony, north and south of Orange River 1899 to 1900. Operations in the Transvaal, February 1901 to April 1902. Operations in the Orange River Colony, August 1901. Operations in Cape Colony, April to 31st May 1902.
