Description
Queen’s South Africa, 6 bars, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 8223 Pte Harry Browning, Coldstream Guards.
Harry Browning was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, circa 1870. He attested for service on 29th October 1890 at London, having been a Painter.
By the time of the Boer War, Harry Browning had finished his service and was a member of the Army Reserve for 6 years, before being recalled to army service and posted to South Africa with the Guards Brigade to fight in his first campaign.
They landed and fought in many battles at the beginning of the war, racking up his 6 bars to his Q.S.A. medal in under a year.
However on the 1st October 1900, he was arrested, and only 4 days later was swiftly convicted for Cowardice.
“Awaiting Trial, Convicted and imprisoned by D.C.M. for misbehaving before the enemy, in such a manner as to show cowardice.”
He was shipped back home to England, “6 months imprisonment with Hard Labour, remitted by Commander in Chief Authority, 23rd March 1901.”
He did not return to duty until 29th April 1901.
After some further service at home he was again posted for service in South Africa on 7th November 1901, serving until the end of the war, returning home on 21st July 1902, and discharged following his completion of 12 years service on 22nd October 1902.
