Queens South Africa Medal
(South Africa 1902, Orange Free State, Cape Colony, Transvaal)  
1914 Star & Bar Trio.
Death Plaque:
To:
8315. Pte G. BLAZEY, 3rd Battalion RIFLE BRIGADE.

KILLED IN ACTION 22nd October 1914

 

 

An important and early 3rd Rifles 'Old Contemptible' casualty of 22nd October 1914, sustained during the German assault on Porte Egal Farm Armentieres.
Having only landed at St Nazaire on 12th September 1914, Private Blazey who was 30 had a tragically short war of only 40 days before being killed in action.   

Narrative & Detailed extract from War Diary

21st October 1914:

...The 6th Division was left undisturbed on this day exept for shelling, until 6 P.M, when, in the dusk, a somewhat heavy attack was made on its centre, but was repulsed with loss. During the day the machine guns of the 3rd Rifle Brigade (17th Brigade) got a good target on Germans detraining on the line which runs past La Vallée into Armentières...

The 3rd Rifle Brigade was in the Porte Egal farm area on this day!


The 3rds RB's War Diary for 21/10/14 reads as follows:-

1 a.m. Moved back to new position R. of Porte Egal Fme. Trenches already dug for us. Fairly quiet day.
Casualties, 3 Riflemen killed, 13 N.C.O.'s and Riflemen wounded.

22/10/14
1.30 a.m. Strong attack by Germans. Their left overlapped our pivot and they got behind us.
4 a.m. Sent out party to clear out Germans, but most had gone.
More attacks during day. Dug new trenches left flank.

Casualties, 2 RIFLEMEN KILLED ^, 9 N.C.O.'s and men wounded, 1 N.C.O. missing.

Sadly, Private Blazey was one of those two casualties on the 22nd.He is remembered with honour on THE PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL

A very rare and highly collectable group to an early casualty who fought
in two wars.










The QSA is EF+ and the Trio is practically mint with original ribbons.
Plaque is also totally mint on the obverse but has a glue and felt residue from a previous mounting on the reverse with some scratches on the reverse only.

SOLD