A RARE group of medals dating back to the Boer War are set to be included in a two day collectors auction in Dorset.

This is the first time the medals have been offered for sale on the open market with the auction taking place December 2 and 3, they came directly from a descendant of Captain W C Banham, who was originally awarded them.

They comprise a Cape of Good Hope General Service medal, a Queen's South Africa medal, a King's South Africa medal and a Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service medal. In addition, there are a group of silver medals for shooting competitions and even a tug of war medallion dated 1892 from De Beers.

According to the Sherborne auctioneer Charterhouse, what makes the medals particularly interesting is a bar on the Queen's South Africa medal which reads “Defence of Kimberley”.

Kimberley was a diamond mining town which the Boers attacked in October 1899. Although ill prepared, the defenders of Kimberley organised an effective improvised defence that was able to prevent it from being taken. The 124 day siege lasted until 15th February when they were relieved by a cavalry division.

Captain Banham rose up through the ranks of the Kimberley Volunteer Regiment, which at the time of the siege, had a 352 members.

This medal group, which also comes with an unofficially issued Kimberley Mayor’s Siege Medal 1900, more commonly known as a Kimberley Star, is estimated to sell for £1,000 at the Charterhouse collector’s auction.

Auctioneer and valuer Richard Bromell said: “The market for medals continues to be strong, aided by Google being an excellent platform to research the history and live internet bidding at the auction with a global reach for collectors.”

For more information about the auction, contact Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse on 01935 812277, email info@charterhouse-auction.com or visit: www.charterhouse-auction.com