Natal 1906, 1st Militia Reserve, Estcourt Division, A.S.C. during WW1, with daughters medals.

Natal 1906 – tpr F.W. Handley , 1st Mil Res Estcourt. Div, 1914 star (5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 bar) MS-2519 Pte F.W. Handley. A.S.C.; British War and Victory medals, MS-2519 Sjt F.W. Handley. A.S.C. (Mounted as worn) Daughters Defence medal and Civil Defence Long Service medal (un-named as issued, and mounted as worn) Two A.S.C. Cap badges.

Frank Wilson Handley, born Runcon, Cheshire in 1886

His service papers for WW1 confirm previous service with the Militia Reserve in Natal

His MIC confirms 1914 star and bar trio, landing 5th October 1914

Served 10th August 1914 to 7th October 1918 with the B.E.F.

Died Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada 17th November 1970

The 1st Estcourt Militia Reserves were commanded by Chief Leader A. F. Henderson, C.M.G., who had commanded the Hlubi Troop, Natal Native Horse during the Zulu War, where he was one of the few survivors of the massacre at Isandhlwana, and later, with the Field Intelligence Department, took part in the Defence of Ladysmith during the Boer War, for which service he was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. As Chief Leader of the 1st Estcourt Militia Reserves during the Natal Rebellion, he was described as ‘a hale hearty old gentleman, who despite his years is as eager now as he was in the full vigour of his youth in pursuing the work he was taken up.’

Approximately 105 Natal 1906 medals with clasp awarded to the 1st Estcourt Militia Reserves.

With a good set of copied service papers, and details from Ancestry. Believed to be first time on the open market. A label with the group states the Civil Defence pair was to his daughter, F Emily Handley.

Condition – NEF