A Great War Military Cross group to Boer War veteran Colour Serjeant, later Quarter Master and Captain J. Small, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, later 35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps who saw service in South Africa where he would take part in the Boer War being present on operations in the Cape Colony, during the relief of Ladysmith and the forcing of the Tugela Heights, and subsequent operations in the Transvaal and the action at Laing’s Nek as well as being Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ despatch of 10th September 1901. He would be awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1908. Later re-enlisting he would be commissioned as a Lieutenant and Quartermaster with the 14th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment serving on the Western Front with the 35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps with the rank of Captain, being awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 3rd June 1918.
Group of 6: Military Cross, GVR,; Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 5 Clasps: Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek; (9611 Cr-Serjt J. Small. Rifle Bde); King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (9611 QR:MR-SJT. J, SMALL. RIFLE BRIGADE.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (Q.M. & CAPT. J. SMALL.) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, EVII; (9611 Q.M. SJT. J. SMALL. RIFLE BDE.)
Condition: Good Very Fine
James Small was born at Aston Manor, Warwickshire on 3rd April 1865 and was a watchmaker when he enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on 4th September 1888. He would go on to be promoted to Corporal in 1890 and Sergeant in 1895 while stationed in Hong Kong. Extending his service in the colours for a further twelve years he served in Singapore for several years before returning home.
He would subsequently travel to South Africa where he would see service with the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade during the Boer War participating in operations in the Cape Colony, during the relief of Ladysmith and the forcing of the Tugela Heights, and subsequent operations in the Transvaal and the action at Laing’s Nek. He would also, with the rank of Colour-Serjeant, be Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ final despatch in the London Gazette of 10th September 1901. Remaining with the Regiment after the war he was largely stationed at home but did see a short period of service Malta. He would receive the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1908.
Small would be discharged in 1912, subsequently settling in Bristol but soon returned to the colours for service during the Great War. He would join the 14th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on 26th April 1915 as a Lieutenant and Quartermaster. He would serve on the Western Front from 30th January 1916 and would be posted o the 35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps with the rank of Captain. He would be awarded to the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 3rd June 1918. He would later be demobilised on 26th August 1919.
