The regimentally unique South Africa Matabele Rebellion 1893, Boer War and Great War Home Service June 1918 Order of Saint Michael and Saint George Group awarded to Lieutenant Colonel A.B. Nolan, C.M.G., Royal Army Pay Corps, formerly Army Pay Department and Army Accounts Department, who when originally serving with the 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards, became the only officer of his regiment, and one of only 88 Imperial troops to see active service in the Matabele rebellion of 1893 when operated under the auspices of the British South Africa Company. In October 1897 he transferred to the Army Pay Department as a Paymaster and then saw service in South Africa during the Boer War when on operations in Natal, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, being awarded a Mention in Despatches. Serving with the Army Accounts Department from May 1905 he saw home service throughout the Great War as a 1st Class Accountant and was appointed a Companion of The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George for his distinguished war services in June 1918. Nolan was latterly a Director of the Fairbanks Gold Dredging Company Ltd that operated in Alaska. Originally from Dublin, he latterly resided in Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland.
Group of 4: The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion, C.M.G. neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; British South Africa Company Medal 1890-1897, reverse for Matabeleland 1893; (CAPT. A.B. NOLAN 3RD: DRAGOON GUARDS); Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 3 Clasps: Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal; (CAPT: A.B. NOLAN. A.P.D.); King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (CPT. A.B. NOLAN. A.P.D.); Coronation Medal 1911.
Condition: first with very good enamel work, remaining medals with light contact wear.
Andrew Bellew Nolan was born on 3 June 1867 at Grand Canal Street, Dublin, Ireland, the son of a father by the same name, and Henrietta Kathleen Lahiff. He was commissioned into the British Army as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards on 5 February 1887, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 31 July 1889, and to Captain on 5 July 1893.
Nolan then found himself sent out to South Africa as one of only three servicemen from the 3rd Dragoon Guards serving in the Matabele rebellion of 1893. Nolan was the only Officer of his regiment present and was joined by Sergeant A. W. S. Donald and Lance Corporal J. Firm for the campaign. A total of 88 Medals were awarded to Imperial troops.
In July 1893, the Matabeles raided the Mashonas and then invaded the British settlement at Fort Victoria. It is not clear who instigated this action as King Lobengula was generally considered to be well disposed to the British. As action was considered necessary to defend the settlers and stop further Matabele encroachment, three mounted columns were organised; one at Tuli, one at Salisbury, and the third at Fort Victoria.
The Salisbury and Fort Victoria columns moved off and joined together at Intaba Zimbi (Iron Mine Hill), 16 October. They were attacked on the Shangani River, 24 October, and on the Mbembesi (M'Bembezu), 1 November. It transpired later that Lobengula had sent envoys to try to secure peace but, by mistake, they had been shot at Tati on or about 23 October, so the advance to Bulawayo was undertaken with the object of capturing Lobengula who had fled by the time his village was entered, 4 November. Messages were sent offering him safe conduct, but as no answer was received, on the 14th a force under Major Forbes was sent to capture him. On 3 December, it reached Shangani River and a small party of about 30 men under Major Alan Wilson crossed to arrest him.
Whilst these men were on the other bank, the river rose rapidly in flood, cutting them off. Here they were attacked by an overwhelming force of Matabeles, against whom they made their epic stand. The Matabele chiefs eventually surrendered, 14 January, and Lobengula died of fever on the 23 January.
Nolan was appointed to Captain and Paymaster with the Army Pay Department on 30 October 1897 and was allowed to take this Substantive rank on this appointment. He then saw service on further operations in South Africa during the Boer War when present on operations in Natal, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, being awarded a Mention in Despatches.
Promoted to Major and Staff Paymaster on 10 November 1904, and to Lieutenant Colonel on 10 November 1909, he having been serving with the newly titled Army Accounts Department since 1 May 1905. Nolan then served as a 1st Class Accountant from 31 December 1909. Nolan was awarded the Coronation Medal 1911, and remained in the United Kingdom for the duration of the Great War. For his wartime services he was appointed a Companion of The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, the award being announced in the King’s Birthday Honours List as published in the London Gazette for 3 June 1918.
Nolan retired from the British Army in 1923, and became Director of the Fairbanks Gold Dredging Company Ltd that operated in Alaska. He died on 5 March 1932 at New Park, Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland.
