Belgium: Boer War: General Louis Botha / Colenso by G. Devreese |
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| Form: | Circular with attached loop through which passes a ring | ||||||||
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| By: | Godefroid Devreese & Paul Fisch | ||||||||
| Date: | 1902 | ||||||||
| Ref: |
AM: 94; Hern: 214; Laidlaw: 0931; |
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| Variations: |
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| Edge: |
Plain. Stamped: "PAUL FISCH" and silver maker's mark. |
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| Obverse: |
Bearded bust of General Botha extending down to the rim with hat and bandoleer, left. To the right across in incused letters: “G (looks like C) DEVREESE / 1902”. Legend on left incused: “L. BOTHA”. |
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| Reverse: |
Laurel branch. Across: “COLENSO / 15E. DECEMBER / 1899". |
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| Notes: |
This is the only known contemporary medal for Louis Botha. General Botha was part of a delegation which visited Europe at the end of the Boer War to seek funding for reconstruction. A series of medals was made by Devreese for the principal delegates: Generals Botha, de la Rey and de Wet. British forces under the command of General Buller attempted to cross the Tugela river at Colenso and advance on the besieged town of Ladysmith. They were defeated by Boer commandos under General Louis Botha on 15th December 1899. Buller's army lost 143 killed, 756 wounded and 220 captured. Among those killed was Lieutenant Freddy Roberts, son of General Lord Roberts. Boer casualties were eight killed and 30 wounded. In 1910 Louis Botha became the first Prime Minister of the newly formed Union of South Africa. Godefroid Devreese (1861-1941) & Paul Fisch (1865-?) were prolific Belgian medallist. |
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