Boer War pair awarded to Gunner J. Billington, 51st Battery, Royal Field Artillery who saw service in South Africa during the Boer War on operations in the Cape Colony, during the relief of Ladysmith, the forcing of the Tugela Heights, at Laing's Nek from 2nd to 9th June 1900, and was then present in operations at Belfast from 26th to 27th August 1900 and in operations in Orange Free State.
Pair: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 6 Clasps: Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, Orange Free State; top bar loose on ribbon (24004 GNR. J. BILLINGTON. 51ST BTY. R.F.A.) King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (24004 GNR. J. BILLINGTON. R.F.A.)
Condition: faint ghost dates to reverse of QSA, Good Very Fine
John Billington was born near Salford, Lancashire and giving his trade as a groom enlisted at Ashton-Under-Lyme on 14th May 1898 seeing service as a Gunner (No. 24004) with the 51st Battery, Royal Field Artillery.
Having initially served in UK, he would travel to South Africa on 11th November 1899 where he would see service during the Boer War on operations in the Cape Colony, during the relief of Ladysmith, the forcing of the Tugela Heights, at Laing's Nek from 2nd to 9th June 1900, and was then present in operations at Belfast from 26th to 27th August 1900 and in operations in Orange Free State.
He would return to the UK on 15th July 1902 and be finally discharged on 26th July 1904.
