Description
King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 81871 Gunner Charles Mercer, Royal Field Artillery.
Officially impressed: “81871 Gnr: C. Mercer. R.F.A.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, with 88th Battery. With copy service papers.
Also earned the matching Queen’s Medal with 74th Battery, with 3 clasps.
Good condition with some colourful silver toning.
Would have seen a good amount of fighting during the war.
you can click here to read further about their services
Angloboerwar.com’s section on the Battery notes that the Battery had accompanied General Gatacre on his ill-fated expedition to Stormberg:
Major Pollock, in his ‘With Seven Generals in the Boer War’, page 55, speaking of the attempted assault, says: “But at this juncture our own artillery, failing in the yet uncertain light to observe the ascent of the infantry, opened fire upon the enemy, and several shells falling short dealt destruction among the assailants of the position”.
As to the retirement he says, on page 57: “Never were batteries more skilfully handled; retiring alternately from position to position, the gunners splendidly atoned for the mischance of the earlier morning. The courage and steadiness of all ranks in the 74th and 77th Field Batteries undeniably saved the remnant of the infantry and themselves also from destruction and capture”. The batteries lost two guns. One taken too close to the enemy’s position could not be got back; the other overturned in the retreat and had to be abandoned.
The 79th joined the Brigade Division in the Queenstown district a few days after the defeat at Stormberg, and the three batteries accompanied General Gatacre across the Orange River.
Born in Higham, Rochester, Kent, circa 1872.
Signed up at the age of 18 with the Royal Artillery on 3rd December 1890.
He saw out his service at home, before he was amongst those of the Army Reserve who were Emergency Recalled for service in the Boer War.
With his mobilisation he was first posted to the 74th Battery, R.F.A. from 9th October 1899.
Later joining the 88th Battery on 29th December 1901 until his discharge.
Service:
Home, 2nd December 1890 – 2nd Nov 1899
South Africa, 3rd Nov 1899 – 6th Sept 1902.
Home, 6th Sept 1902 – 1st Dec 1902.
Wounds on his papers note: Contused left forearm on 18th September 1893, and Wound of Finger, 29th May 1894,
