Original Rifle Brigade Astrakhan Busby & Sudan/Boer War Medals Set - Lt A R (Alexander Ramsey) Harman (later Brigadier-General CMG DSO)
The set consists of
- Queens Sudan Medal 1896-98
- Queens South Africa Medal with 3 clasps (Defence of Ladysmith, Liang's Nek, Belfast)
- Khedive's Sudan Medal 1896-98 with Khartoum clasp
All with original ribbons and named to Harman. The medals have been privately engraved, as was common amongst high ranking or particularly wealthy officers.
- Rifle Brigade officers Astrakhan Busby with horsehair plume and it's long cords - Victorian makers label for Hawkes & Co. The crown badge on the front has a King's crown so was likely swapped to this when Harman re-enlisted for WW1. With its chinstrap and also with soft light tan leather sweatband.
Nicely lined in silk and with a lovely decorative pattern on top.
The Busby has some mothing patches to the Astrakhan wool & is missing one of the small side badges at the top of the side cords.
Busby is approx size 54-55 cm
- rectangular hat tin for the Busby named to Harman on a brass plaque and with Hawkes & Co makers plaque.
- framed photo of Harman circa 1913 with him wearing his Rifle Brigade uniform as a Captain.
- the top section of a swagger stick with Victorian Rifle Brigade metal pom.
- a metal sword handle part with engraving.
Alexander Ramsey Harman (1877 - 1954) was born at Hartley Witney in Hampshire. He was the son of Lieutenant-General Sir George Byng Harman. He was educated at St. Clements in Oxford and the Royal Military College Sandhurst.
He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Btn Rifle Brigade in 1897 and served in the Sudan and 2nd Boer Wars. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1899 and to Captain in 1902. He received a Mention in Despatches in 1901 for exceptionally good work with transport in operations north of Middleburg.
He re-engaged for military service in 1914 and took over command of the 1/7 Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in November 1914, arriving in France in April 1915. He remained with the battalion until 1917.
He won the DSO in October 1916 - "For gallantry at Olliviers France in July 1916". "For the excellent handling of his battalion notable when clearing the enemy's trenches with great determination during several consecutive days".
He was promoted to Temporary Brigadier-General in September 1917 and attached to the Headquarters unit. He was granted the honourary rank of Brigadier-General in 1919.
He was granted the C.M.G (order of St Michael & St George) in June 1918.
The whereabouts of his CMG and DSO are unknown.
