Description
Queen’s South Africa, 2 bars, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, 3174 Private Samuel Smale, 2nd Bn Devon Regiment, who died of enteric fever at Ladysmith on 22nd May 1900.
Officially impressed: “3174 Pte S. Smale, Devon: Regt”
Some edge bruising.
Confirmed on the medal roll.
According to his records:
Samuel Smale, was a former labourer born in Tavistock, Devon. The son of Richard, his next of kin.
He had enlisted with the regiment on 22nd January 1891.
Samuel was likely finished with his regular service by the time of the Boer War and recalled from the Army Reserve.
During the Boer War, he took part in the Battle of Tugela Heights, from 14-27th February 1900, fought during the attempt to Relieve Ladysmith.
The battle was a success and the siege was successfully lifted on 28th February 1900.
Seemingly still stationed in the town, Samuel died at Ladysmith of Enteric Fever on 22nd May 1900.
