Boer War Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein and Transvaal operations pair awarded to Private C. Parfrey, 2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment – the Buffs who attested aged 14 initially seeing service as a Boy soldier and Bandsman. He would go on to see service in South Africa during the Boer War on operations at the Relief of Kimberley on 15th February 1900, in action at Paardeberg on 17th to 26th February 1900, and at Driefontein on 10th March 1900, as well as on operations in the Transvaal.
Pair: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 4 Clasps: Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal; (3978 PTE. C. PARFREY. EAST KENT REGT.) King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (3978 PTE. A. PARFREY. E. KENT REGT.)
Condition: contact wear, Very Fine
Charles Parfrey was born in North Woolwich and attested to the East Kent Regiment – the Buffs aged 14 at Chatham on 8th October 1892 giving his trade as a musician. He would be appointed a Bandsman on 22nd May 1893, he would be imprisoned for being absent without leave on 27th November 1894 and reverted to Private upon his release on 8th December 1894, once again appointed Bandsman on 14th March 1895 he then deserted on 27th January 1897, re-joining on 13th September 1897 he was convicted of desertion and imprisoned on 25th September 1897 with his previous service being forfeited upon conviction. He would returned to duty on 18th December 1897.
Parfrey would serve with 2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 22nd December 1899 on operations at the Relief of Kimberley on 15th February 1900, in action at Paardeberg on 17th to 26th February 1900, and at Driefontein on 10th March 1900, as well as on operations in the Transvaal.
He would return to the UK on 28th October 1902 and remained there until 1st June 1905 when he returned to South Africa. He was discharged on 10th March 1906.
