Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Boer War D.C.M. pair awarded to Sergeant F. Lowe, 6th Dragoon Guards, who was severely wounded at Vredes Verdrag on 11 May 1900, and was taken Prisoner of War at Kameeldrift on 3 July 1900 Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt: F. Lowe. 6th Dragoon Guards); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (2715. Corpl. F. Lowe. 6/Dn. Gds.) edge bruising, very fine (2) £1,600-£2,000 --- Provenance: J. B. Hayward, May 1979; Buckland, Dix and Wood, April 1995. One of only six D.C.M.’s awarded to the 6th Dragoon Guards for South Africa. D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Frederick Lowe was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, in 1868, and attested there for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 25 April 1888, having previously served with the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He transferred to the 6th Dragoon Guards on 14 July 1889, and was promoted Corporal on 20 December 1893. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 25 April 1895, he was recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Boer War on 7 October 1899, and served with the Regiment in South Africa from 4 November 1899, being promoted Sergeant on 4 May 1900. He was severely wounded at Vredes Verdrag, Zand River, on 11 May 1900. At this action three Squadrons, taken from the Australian Horse, the Inniskillings and the Greys, and half a Squadron of the Carabiniers, were ordered to seize an apparently unoccupied kopje. The Squadrons, dismounting and leaving their horses below, took possession of the kopje, but shortly afterwards were set upon by a party of the Waterberg commando, who had been lying in ambush in a donga, and now crept up the hill, stampeded the horses, and poured a withering fire on the cavalrymen. These, belonging to several different units and being apparently under no single command, made no stand, but were driven in confusion down the hill, losing fourteen killed and thirty-six wounded, besides two Officers and twenty-five men prisoners. The Carabiniers suffered especially, losing Captain Elworthy and three men killed, and Lieutenants Collis and Moncrieff, and nine men wounded, three of whom died later. On 3 July 1900, less than two months later, Lowe was taken prisoner at Kameeldrift, along with Lieutenant Rundle and seven other men, and was subsequently released at Nooitgedacht on 5 September 1900. For his gallantry in South Africa he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and later received a gratuity of £20. Returning home on 24 April 1901, he was discharged on 11 June 1901, after 13 years and 48 days’ service.