Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902, with clasp, 'Cape Colony', awarded to Private Richard Cecil Holloway, Leicestershire Imperial Yeomanry

Circular, silver campaign medal with, on the obverse, a profile head of Queen Victoria with the inscription, 'Victoria Regina et Imperatrix' (Victoria, Queen and Empress). On the reverse, the figure of Britannia holding a Union Flag and laurel wreath, the words 'South Africa', marching troops and warships in the background. The medal is suspended on a red, yellow and dark blue ribbon, with clasp, 'Cape Colony'.

Richard Cecil Holloway was born in Market Harborough and joined the Imperial Yeomanry at Leicester, where his mother resided, in February 1900. He was discharged in October 1900 'at his request from further service in connection with the war in S. Africa', after a total of 233 days' service. He is not recorded as having served in the 65th Company Imperial Yeomanry, which, like the 7th, was raised in Leicestershire. His only known connection with Melton Mowbrary (famous for its pork pies) is the fact that his trade on enlistment was recorded as 'butcher'.

The Queen's South Africa Medal was awarded to soldiers who served during the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902. Twenty-six clasps were awarded with this medal, indicating each action and state campaign of the conflict.

From a medal group awarded to Private Richard Holloway, Leicestershire Imperial Yeomanry.

From the Upfill-Brown/Hibbard Collection of the National Army Museum. Purchased with the generous assistance of Mr and Mrs S N Roditi's Charitable Trust and the Friends of the National Army Museum