King's South Africa Medal 1901-1902, with two clasps: 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902', awarded to Lieutenant Henry Denne Hirst, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Circular, silver campaign medal with, on the obverse, a profile head of King Edward VII with the Latin inscription, 'Edwardvs VII Rex Imperator' (Edward VII King Emperor). 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 recipient's name and unit is impressed on the rim. The medal is suspended on an orange, white and green striped ribbon with two clasps: 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902'.

Henry Denne Hirst was born about 1865 and enlisted with The Buffs in 1899. He served in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902), achieving the rank of Captain by 1903. Hirst subsequently served in France during the First World War as a battalion commander. Unusually for the time, Hirst was known to have rejected recruits he discovered were under age despite the increasing shortage of manpower. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel but died at the Western Heights Military Hospital in Dover in 1918, following an operation and short illness.

From a medal group awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Denne Hirst, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 1912-1918. From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.