Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (1536 SGT. H. SHEPHERD. 2ND WILTS.REGT); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1536 SERJT. H. SHEPHERD. WILTSHIRE REGT)
Harry Shepherd was born in Winchester, Hants in 1868 and was baptised on 12 July of that year. At the age of 18 he enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment on 29 July 1886, seeing the first eleven years of his service in the "Indies".
He was then posted back home before being sent to the Anglo Boer War in South Africa on 16 December 1899. Whilst in South Africa he was Mentioned in Dispatches by Lord Roberts on 2 April 1901 for "special and meritorious service"
"In his despatch dated London, April 2, 1901, Earl Roberts brings forward the names of some who have in their civil or military capacity most prominently distinguished themselves, or whose services have come under his personal observation."
In order to earn the Wittebergen clasp to his medal Shepherd would have been engaged in the operation in the Brandwater Basin of the easter Orange Free State where, in July 1900, General Prinsloo was hemmed in and surrendered with over 4000 men.
Shepherd returned to the UK on 31 May 1903 - exactly a year after the end of the war. He stayed with the regiment until completing his 21 years of service on 28 July 1907. His discharge papers state that he was employed as a Signaller running lines - perhaps it was in the execution of these duties that he was brought to Lord Roberts' attention.
The 1911 England census has him as a Shopkeeper/ Grocer and Army Pensioner living in Estleigh, Hants. He passed away in Devizes, Wiltshire 1n 1918
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with some research including copy service papers and medal rolls.
