Casualty Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 4 Clasps: Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal awarded to Private W.J. Haddock, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers who saw service in South Africa during the Boer War present in action at the battle of Talana on 20th October 1899, followed by the defence of Ladysmith from 3rd November 1899 to 28th February 1900, and then on operations in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, and was wounded in action at Farquhar’s Farm near Ladysmith on 30th October 1899.
Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 4 Clasps: Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal; (5075 PTE. W.J. HADDOCK. RL. IRISH. FUS.)
Condition: suspension a little slack, Good Very Fine
Awarded to Private (No. 5075) W.J. Haddock, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers who saw service in South Africa during the Boer War present in action at the battle of Talana on 20th October 1899, followed by the defence of Ladysmith from 3rd November 1899 to 28th February 1900, and then on operations in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal.
Haddock was wounded on 30th October 1899 at the Battle of Farquhar’s Farm which was part of the Battle of Ladysmith which was one of the early engagements of the war. A large British force had assembled in the garrison town of Ladysmith and on 30th October 1899 it launched a sortie against Boer forces which were slowly encircling the town. The outcome was a disaster for the British, the main body of the force being driven back into the town and an isolated detachment of 800 men was forced to surrender to Commandant De Wet. Farquhar’s Farm saw much heavy fighting on this date.
Captain, then Second Lieutenant John Norwood, 5th Dragoon Guards would be awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the fighting at Ladysmith on this day:
‘On the 30th October 1899, this Officer went out from Ladysmith in charge of a small patrol of the 5th Dragoon Guards. They came under a heavy fire from the enemy, who were posted on a ridge in great force. The patrol, which had arrived within about 600 yards of the ridge, then retired at full speed. One man dropped, and Second Lieutenant Norwood galloped back about 300 yards through heavy fire, dismounted, and picking up the fallen trooper, carried him out of fire on his back, at the same time leading his horse with one hand. The enemy kept up an incessant fire during the whole time that Second Lieutenant Norwood was carrying the man until he was quite out of range.’
Haddock would later serve with 19th Battery, Royal Field Artillery and is additionally entitled to the South Africa 1901 clasp.
