Queens South Africa Medal clasps Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal with clear ghost dates (3200 PTE. F. BATEMAN. 10TH HUSSARS.); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3200 PTE. F.R. BATEMAN. 10TH HUSSARS.)
Private Bateman served with the 10th Hussars in the Anglo Boer War in South Africa between 1899 and 1902. He was embodied on 6 November 1899 and returned home to the United Kingdom on 29 August 1902. The regiment almost didn't survive the voyage out to the war - having sailed on the Ismore, they came to grief in St Helena Bay, the men being saved, and also on the Columbian, and arrived at the Cape about the beginning of December 1899.
They lost no time in commencing active operations under General French in the Colesberg district, where they were kept very busy till the end of January. During February the regiment was constantly at work, and was then sent to Modder River to join the big force which Lord Roberts was gathering. In the beginning of February, when Macdonald with the Highland Brigade went out west to Koodosberg Drift, the regiment was part of the cavalry under Major General Babington. As soon as the force returned a start for Kimberley was made. The regiment, along with the Household Cavalry and 12th Lancers, formed the 2nd Brigade under Broadwood.
They were part of the force which fought at Paardeberg, leading to the surrender of General Cronje and 4000 men on 17 February 1900. They also fought at Driefontein in the run-up to the occupation of Bloemfontein before moving into the Transvaal.
In the first seven months of 1901 the regiment, along with their old comrades the 12th Lancers, were in a brigade under Colonel E C Knox which operated in the Eastern Transvaal, taking part in French's great sweep to the south-east corner, and they also operated in the north-east of the Orange River Colony; and both regiments were afterwards taken to Cape Colony, where, under the direction of General French, they did endless chasing after Kritzinger and Scheepers and their followers during the remainder of the campaign. On 11th October 1901 the notorious Scheepers was taken by a patrol of the 10th Hussars under Captain Shearman.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with medal rolls. There is confusion around Bateman's initials - a common occurrence - the medals rolls have him as F and FP whilst the medals use the initials F and FR.
