Full medal write up
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899, 2 CLASPS TUGELA HEIGHTS, RELIEF OF LADYSMITH ‘CAPT. C. C. B. TEW. W. YORK: REGT.’
Cyril Crofton Blackburne Tew was born in Aldershot, Hampshire on 26 September 1871. Educated St Michael's School, Langley Buckinghamshire, he was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant West Yorks from 3rd York & Lancs (Militia) on 17 January 1891. Promoted Lieutenant 3 August 1892 and Captain, 19 March 1899. He joined 2nd West Yorks in South Africa with a draft from England on 30 January 1900. Taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith, he was present at the battle of Vaal Kranz and operations on Tugela Heights, being severely wounded in action at Pieters Hill 27th February 1900.
At the battles of Vaal Kranz and Pieters Hill, the 2nd west Yorkshire Regiment formed part of the Second Brigade of the Second Division under Lieutenant General Sir C. F. Clery, along with the 2nd East Surreys, 2nd Devons and 2nd Queen’s West Surreys.
“At Vaal Krantz the battalion held the right of the hill, and were badly bothered all the 7th February by rifle and shell fire, but of course held their ground without a murmur.
In the great combat between 13th and 27th February the West Yorks were constantly in the thickest. In his despatch of 14th March General Buller says (para 12): "The 2nd Brigade crossed the nek and assaulted Monte Cristo, the steep crags of which were brilliantly carried after considerable resistance by the West Yorkshire and Queen's Regiments. Captain T H Berney, West Yorkshire Regiment, a most gallant officer, led the assault and was the first man up. He was, I regret to say, shot through the head as he got to the top". The battalion's magnificent attack on Railway Hill on the afternoon of the 27th greatly assisted to set the long doubtful issue at rest. That day the battalion was temporarily attached to the Lancashire Brigade, the brigadier being their own former colonel, F W Kitchener. The capture of Railway Hill will always be one of the proudest of the regiment's feats; and it must be remembered that the task was designed for two battalions, that by an accident it was left to this battalion alone, and they did it. Captain Conwyn Mansell-Jones was awarded the VC for "his self-sacrificing devotion to duty at a critical moment" in the action. Seven officers and 9 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned by General Buller and General Warren for exceptional gallantry, 4 of the latter being recommended for the distinguished conduct medal. The losses of the battalion on the fourteen days' fighting were approximately 1 officer and 6 men killed, 6 officers and 85 men wounded.”
https://www.britishbattles.com/great-boer-war/battle-of-pieters/
Invalided home and became adjutant with 3rd West Yorks, he married Alice Constance Ward (an American heiress) in December 1902. Tew Retired from the Army on 7 January 1903 and was appointed to the Reserve of officers on retired pay acting Major 3rd East Surreys with seniority date 24 October 1903. In 1913 he was involved in a messy divorce case (court papers online at ancestry).
During the Great War, he was appointed Assistant Officer with rank of Captain at London Infantry Records Office 20 November 1916 (no medal entitlement) and relinquished his Commission on 1 April 1920. In 1934 he married Matilda Candler but died a year later on 21 October 1935 at a nursing home at 9 St. Johns Wood Road Middlesex.
Condition NVF, correctly engraved, couple of EK’s and obverse/reverse polished. Sold with copy Service record, casualty roll entry, Army List entries and Burkes Landed Gentry etc. Ex DNW Sept 2001.