South Africa General General Service clasp 1877-78 (TPR. W.R. REYNOLDS. DIAMOND FDS. HORSE.)
William Richard Reynolds was born in Bedford in the Cape Colony on 8 July 1858. At some point he trekked to the bustling city of diamonds - Kimberley - where he set up shop as a Wagon and Carriage Builder - both highly sought after modes of conveyance for a city that was starting to burst at the seams with the sudden influx of adventurers and prospectors in search of wealth and fortune.
Reynolds would have fought in the Griqua and Pokwane Wars - rebellion on the North-East border had led to a punitive expedition against the Thlaping Headman, Bothlasitse Gasebone of Pokwane. Under a Captain Lanyon’s personal command, 54 men from the Diamond Fields Horse and 36 volunteers, specially recruited for the expedition (named the Diggers Corps), comprised the largest portion of the force assembled for the purpose. It was a bloodless expedition, but the objective, to frighten Gasebone into submission, was achieved.
He wed Elizabeth Ann Rattham on 28 November 1880 and raised a family. With the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War he was still in KImberley and was taken up in the siege which commenced in November 1899. He saw service with the Kimberley Town Guard as a Sergeant with M Company on No. 2 Redoubt, Kimberley Mine. The medal he earned was returned to the Mint unclaimed making this his sole entitlement.
Reynolds died of Pneumonia and a Cerebral Haemorrhage on 3 July 1930 at his home - 21 Stead Street, Kimberley.
Medal is in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with research.
