A ‘Ghost Dated’ Boer War Queen's South Africa Medal, Clasp DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, to 9776 Pte John Pickford, 2nd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps.

John Pickford was born during 1878 at Hyde, Lancashire. He attested on the 22nd of December 1896, joining the ranks of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and serving with ‘K’ Company, the 2nd battalion.

The 2nd Battalion was one of the infantry battalions which, between 16th and 30th September 1899, were sent from India to Natal. The battalion was first engaged on 24th October at Rietfontein, outside Ladysmith (see 1st Liverpool Regiment). The 2nd King's Royal Rifles were at first with the baggage, and afterwards half the battalion was in the reserve line. They had no losses.

At the battle of Ladysmith on 30th October the battalion was with Grimwood on the right (see 1st Liverpools) and was hardly pressed all morning. Their losses were approximately 1 officer wounded, 8 men killed, 29 wounded, and some missing. In the great attack of 6th January (see 1st Devons) four companies of the 2nd King's Royal Rifles were sent in the early morning as reinforcements to Waggon Hill, where they took part in the furious fighting. One company under Lieutenant Tod attempted to rush the eastern crest, then held by the Boers, but the attempt failed, Lieutenant Tod being killed. The battalion's losses that day were 4 officers and 7 men killed and about 35 wounded.

Three officers and 6 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Sir George White's despatch for excellent work during the siege. Six officers and 4 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in General Buller's final despatch of 9th November 1900, three of these officers having gained their commendations with the Composite Rifle Battalion in the relief operations.

After the relief of Ladysmith the battalion marched north to the Transvaal-Natal border, and in July was ordered to sail for Colombo with prisoners.

The Mounted Infantry company remained in South Africa and saw endless fighting.

Lieutenant L A E Price-Davies was awarded the VC for great gallantry in dashing among the enemy and trying to save the guns at Blood River Poort (Gough's disaster), 17th September 1901.

The medal is ‘Ghost dated’ 1899 1900 on the reverse, mounted as worn on original ribbon and an improvised mounting pin, original breast medal bar, copied research, including medal roll confirming the Q.S.A and Defence of Ladysmith as his sole medal and clasp entitlement, and is as follows -

Queen’s South Africa Medal, clasp DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, 9776 PTE J. PICKFORD, K.R.R.C.

Condition, edge knock at 7 O’clock, otherwise good very fine - a lovely example