Boer War Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal operations pair awarded to Private. W. Burnett, 2nd Battalion, later 3rd Battalion, East Kent Regiment – the Buffs, who saw service during the Boer War on operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. After his return to the UK he was appointed Corporal before being reduced to the ranks for conduct prejudice to good order.
Pair: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 3 Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal; (6072 PTE. W. DURNETT. E. KENT. REGT.) King’s South Africa Medal 1901, South Africa 1902; (6072 PTE. W. DURNETT. E. KENT. REGT.)
Condition: contact wear to both rims at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock respectively, Very Fine
William Durnett was born in South Ockendon, Grays, Essex and attested into the East Kent Regiment at Stratford on 17th October 1899 giving his trade as a Baker. Initially posted to the 2nd Battalion, he would be attached to the 3rd Battalion on 9th June 1900 when that Battalion arrived in South Africa. He would then serve during the Boer War on operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal before returning to the UK on 28th October 1902, he would later be appointed Lance Corporal on 23rd October 1903.
Promoted Corporal on 1st June 1905 he would again then serve in South Africa between 12th June 1905 and 15th November 1907. In the meantime he had been reduced to the ranks, on 8th and 9th February 1907 having been found guilty by a Regimental Court Martial of conduct to the prejudice of good order. He would be discharged to the reserve on 18th November 1907 just three days after his arrival back in the UK. He would then serve in the reserve until 16th October 1911 when he was discharged upon the termination of his official period of engagement.
