A VERY SCARCE TRIPLE DATE SOUTH AFRICA 1877-9 TO AN OFFICER IN BAKER’S HORSE. THIS UNIT SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AT THE BATTLES OF HLOBANE, KHAMBULA, THE SKIRMISH ON THE WHITE MFOLOZI RIVER AND THE BATTLE OF ULUNDI

SOUTH AFRICA 1877-9, CLASP 1877-8-9 ‘LIEUT W PARKIN BAKERS HORSE’

Lieutenant Walter Parkin., Baker’s Horse, Gaika and Gaeleka War 1877-78. Griqua War operations 1878. Lieutenant Baker’s Horse 3.2.79. Zulu War 1879.

Bakers Horse was formed for Service in the Cape Frontier War in 1878. It had been disbanded in December 1878 only to reformed for the Zulu War in February 1879. The unit was to see Service in Wood's column throughout the War, serving under Bvt Major Buller with the other Irregular and Imperial mounted units. Bakers Horse took part in the disastrous attack and subsequent retreat at Hlobane Mountain on 29th March, the battle of Khambula, the Skirmish on the White Mfolozi River and the battle of Ulundi.

Lieutenant Parkin was one of the first men to join in 1879 and therefore would have served throughout the Zulu War. It is not clear what unit he served with 1877-8, but possibly also Bakers Horse.

219 medals issued to Bakers horse but of these 92 were returned, of these only 9 1877-8-9 clasps!

Condition VF, patina. Edge lightly abrasively cleaned or NEF.

A very scarce and desirable Officers medal to this well known irregular unit that served with distinction during the Zulu War. Only the third I’ve come across in 20+ years!