UNIQUE WAR MEDALS UP FOR AUCTION

Only North Staffords received ‘Hafir Bar’

MEDALS once belonging to a North Staffordshire Regiment soldier who served under Lord Kitchener are going up for auction.

The set – including the significant Hafir Battle Bar – belonged to Hugo E Angrave, who served with the

1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment during the late 19th Century.

The regiment was the only one from the British Army to receive the Hafir Bar after a key 1896 battle during the Anglo-sudan War.

Now the decorations and mementoes including a North Staffordshire Regiment swagger stick – are going up for auction online on Monday.

The sale is being handled by Richard Winterton Auctioneers at the Lichfield Auction Centre.

The auctioneer’s military specialist Nick Thompson said: “This is a fantastic medals group with significance locally to Staffordshire but also across the board in terms of British military history.

“No other regiment in the British Army was awarded the Hafir Bar.

“The 1st Battalion was the only British Line Regiment with the honour of serving under Lord Kitchener in the Sudan.

“This is a significant and completely unique group of medals to a soldier whose military service is remarkable.”

The group of medals consists of:

■ Queen’s Sudan Medal, named 4014 Pte H. ANGRAVE 1st North Staffs Reg;

■ British War and Victory medals named 4014 WO Class 2, H.E. ANGRAVE, North Staffs Reg;

■ Edward VII Army Long Service Medal, named 4014 Sgt H. E. ANGRAVE North Staffs Reg;

■ Khedives Sudan Medal with Hafir Bar, named to No 4014 Pte H. ANGRAVE 1st North Staffs Reg;

■ Edward VII Meritorious Service medal, named W.O. Class 2, H. E. ANGRAVE, North Staffs Reg.

The first five medals are on a period wearing bar, all with period ribbons.

Also with the group is a North Staffs Regiment swagger stick, metal topped with a regimental crest, a set of four solid silver spoons named on the cartouche to Sergeant Angrave, two Stafford First World War era collar tags and a small button.

There is also a mysterious sepia photo on card of a soldier in Scottish Victorian uniform complete with kilt, who is believed to be a family member.

■ It is estimated the collection will fetch between £700 and £900 at auction on Monday. The sale starts at 9.30am – for more information, visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk, call Richard Winterton Auctioneers on 01543 251081 or email office@ richardwinterton.co.uk.