A Boer War D.S.O. pair awarded to Lieutenant N. Patterson, Royal Field Artillery, who...

A Boer War D.S.O. pair awarded to Lieutenant N. Patterson, Royal Field Artillery, who distinguished himself in the action at Klerksdorp on 25 February 1902, ‘pluckily directing the fire of the Artillery’, before being captured and taken prisoner of war; he was the youngest officer to receive the D.S.O. during the Boer War Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieutenant N. Patterson. R.F.A.) very minor enamel damage to wreath on DSO, and minor edge bruise to QSA, nearly extremely fine (2) £2,000-£2,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.O. London Gazette 26 June 1902: ‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’ Norman Patterson was born at Long Benton, Northumberland, in 1879, the son of the Reverend Patterson, and was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge. He won many prizes for athletics at Cambridge, distinguished himself in Association Football, and received his commission as an University Candidate. He joined the Royal Horse Artillery as a Second Lieutenant on 21 May 1900 and served in South Africa during the Boer War under Lord Methuen, taking part in operations in the Transvaal and Cape Colony from July 1901 to 31 May 1902. Patterson distinguished himself in the action at Klerksdorp on 25 February 1902, ‘pluckily directing the fire of the Artillery’ during the Boer assault, before being captured and taken prisoner of war. The Times History of the War states: ‘Towards evening on the 24th February 1902, Anderson’s convoy, after two days of uneventful marching, crossed the Yzer Spruit and camped on the farm lands of Elandslaagte, thirteen miles from Klerksdorp. The next day’s march was to be the last, and so little was danger dreamt of that Paget’s Horse, 80 strong, were permitted to ride into Klerksdorp that same evening. At 4.30 on the following morning, while it was still pitch dark, the convoy resumed its march, with a company of infantry on either flank, an advanced guard of Yeomanry supported by the guns and a company of infantry, and a rearguard of similar composition but without artillery. About half-an-hour after starting, at a point where the ground first begins to fall towards the Jagd Spruit, the advanced guard approached a dark expanse of bush. Suddenly, the border of this thicket, scarcely twenty yards distant, was outlined in flame, and Liebenberg’s bullets swept through the troops and transport. A few minutes later Kemp attacked the centre and Celliers the rearguard, which was still near the camping-ground. Disaster, under the circumstances, was scarcely avoidable; yet all these first assaults were steadily repulsed. Under the fire of the artillery, pluckily directed by Lieutenant Patterson, Liebenberg's men recoiled into their scrub; Kemp's attack flickered out; Celliers alone hung like a bulldog on the rearguard. In the meantime, the wagons, which had stampeded to the rear at the first alarm, were rallied by Lieutenant Turner and parked, by Anderson's orders, near the front of the column in partially sheltered ground. Daylight was strengthening, when Kemp charged right up to the convoy, but was again driven off. There was a partial lull, in which Anderson ordered the convoy to advance supported by the rest of the column. It would have been wiser, perhaps, to have concentrated round the wagons and waited ; for every movement of the panic-stricken convoy was fraught with peril. In advancing to the Jagd Spruit the drivers got out of control, threw some of the troops into confusion, and finally lashed their teams pell-mell down the slope. A sharp declivity bordered the drift; the first wagon stumbled and stuck others followed suit, and then the whole mass collapsed into irremediable confusion. The spectacle heartened the Boers. De la Eey ordered a general charge on horseback, with fire from the saddle. The rearguard, under Captain A. L. Phillips, which hitherto had stood unflinchingly under heavy losses, gave way before overwhelming odds; the guns and other troops were ridden down, and although many brave groups of men fought to their last cartridge, the Boer victory was assured. Sunrise shone upon a complete disaster. Save a few men who escaped to Klerksdorp, the whole force, with its artillery and material, was in De la Eey's hands. Five officers and 48 men were killed; 6 officers and 124 men wounded; the rest were prisoners.’ Promoted Lieutenant on 16 April 1902, for his services in South Africa Patterson was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 17 June 1902); received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, most certainly for his gallantry at Klerksdorp. He was invested with his D.S.O. by H.M. King Edward VII on 24 October 1902. Subsequently serving in India for several years, he passed the highest examinations for the Staff in India, spoke Hindustani fluently, and was for some time Instructor in Signalling. A great sportsman who shot much big game in India, he died at Bareilly, India, on 2 May 1909, from the effects of injuries caused by an accident to his horse. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient, and copied research.