Boer War pair to Private W. Martin, Coldstream Guards who saw service in South Africa during the Boer War he would take part in the operations in Cape Colony as well as in action at Driefontein on 10th March 1900, Johannesburg on 31st May 1900. Diamond Hill on 11th to 12th June 1900, and Belfast on 26th to 27th August 1900.
Pair: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 5 Clasps: Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast; (179 PTE. W. MARTIN. CLDSTM:GDS.) King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (179 PTE. W. MARTIN. COLDSTREAM GUARDS.) court-mounted for wear.
Condition: court-mounted for wear, Contact wear, including an edge-bruise to the QSA at 6 o’clock, otherwise Good Very Fine
William Martin was born in St. Thomas, Wigan, Lancashire in 1874 and attested on 14th August 1895 subsequently seeing service with the Coldstream Guards with whom he would serve as a Private (No. 179). He had previously served for 10 days with the 2nd Battalion, Life Guards before being discharged as unfitted for the duties of household cavalry.
Initially serving at home he would travel to South Africa on 21st October 1899 where he would see service in the Boer War, taking part in operations in Cape Colony and in action at Driefontein on 10th March 1900, Johannesburg on 31st May 1900. Diamond Hill on 11th to 12th June 1900, and Belfast on 26th to 27th August 1900. He would be posted home on 25th June 1902 and would remain there until discharged on 11th August 1907
