RSA (Post-1994): Centenary of the Battle of Blood River Poort / Vryheid
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Form:
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Circular with attached lug holed for a ring to a long blue ribbon. Cast and machine finished.
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By:
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? |
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Date:
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2001 |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 0552;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 40.0 mm | Brass | 23.2 gm | $18 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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Horse and cab, left. Legend above: "17.09.1901 - 17.09.2001" and below: "BLOEDRIVIERPOORT".
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Reverse:
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Across: "VRYHEID", and engraved below on a raised rectangle: "53/100". Legend above: "ANGLO BOERE-OORLOG 1899-1902" and below: "1899-1902 ANGLO BOER WAR"
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Notes:
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Issued attached to an A4 certificate of authenticity hand signed by the chairman of the Anglo Boer War Centenary Commemoration Committee and the curator of the Vryheid Museum indicating that this medal was number 53 of only 100 medals made.
General Louis Botha's commando fought the Johannesburg Mounted Infantry under the command of Major Hubert Gough at Blood River Poort, 15 miles west of Vryheid in northern Natal, on the 17th September 1901. Botha in a surprise attack defeated the colonial troops and captured guns and other munitions. Not having the means to hold the prisoners, Botha disarmed the captured soldiers, strip off their clothing and boots and sent them back to the British lines.
The Vryheid Anglo Boer War Centenary Commemoration Committee issued five medals in respect battles which had taken place in the region. The battles commemorated were Scheepersnek, Lancaster Hill, Nkonjeni Mahlabatini, Bloedrivierpoort and Holkrans Mthashana.
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