The regimentally unique Boer War Distinguished Conduct Medal group of three awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major M. H. F. Harrison, 41st (Hampshire) Company, Imperial Yeomanry, late 16th Lancers, a former Canadian Cowboy who earned the only ‘Relief of Mafeking’ clasp to his unit
Three: Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4617 Sq: Serjt:- Maj: M. Harrison. Imp: Yeo:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Natal, Relief of Mafeking, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4617 Sq: Sjt: Maj: M. H. F. Harrison. 41st. Coy. I.Y.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4617 S. Serjt:- Maj: M. Harrison. Imp: Yeo:)
Condition: Good Very Fine
D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902.
Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 29 July 1902.
Provenance. Noonan’s 11 Dec 12919 sale, lot 74
Mortimer Harry Francis Harrison was born in Portsmouth on 29 April 1865, and attested for the 16th Lancers at Gosport on 17 February 1888. Promoted Corporal on 22 June 1890, he served with them in India from 2 September of that year to 26 February 1892, and was discharged on 19 July 1892, after 4 years and 154 days’ service. He subsequently emigrated to Canada, where he worked as a cowboy.
Harrison attested for the 41st (Hampshire) Company, Imperial Yeomanry, at Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth, on 8 January 1900. The Company was raised from the Hampshire Carabineers Yeomanry by Captain Jack Seely (later Lord Mottistone), a prolific author of books about his adventures, including those in South Africa, where he earned a DSO for his command of the unit. So keen was Seely to get his unit to the front that rather than wait for government transport, he used family wealth and influence to hire the steamer Goth himself, which sailed from Southampton by the end of the month.
Harrison served with the 41st Company, 4th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa from its arrival at Table Bay on 22 February 1900 until 25 April 1902. He was rapidly promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major, and was for a while attached to the Bechuanaland Police for the Natal and Relief of Mafeking clasps. For his services in South Africa he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Mentioned in Despatches. He arrived home on 25 April 1902, and was discharged the following day, after 2 years and 109 days’ service.
