THE FINE AND RARE 1/24TH FOOT ZULU WAR AND BOER WAR DSO GROUP AWARDED TO AN OFFICER WHO AFTER TAKING PART IN THE BATTLE OF QUINTANA IN 1878 WHERE HIS COMPANY BORE A CONSPICUOUS PART, WAS PART OF THE SMALL GARRISON AT HELPMEKAAR THAT LEFT FOR RORKE’S DRIFT ON 22ND JANUARY 1879 ONLY TO TURNED BACK WHEN IT WAS SEEN TO BE ON FIRE AND PRESUMED TAKEN. ARRIVING BACK AT HELPMEKAAR AS FUGITIVES FROM ISANDHLWANA BEGAN TO ARRIVE, THEY PREPARED THE OUTPOST FOR THE DEFENCE AGAINST AN ATTACK THEY WERE SURE WOULD FOLLOW. HAVING BEEN PROMOTED MAJOR, HE WAS AWARDED THE D.S.O OR HIS SERVICES DURING THE BOER WAR

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, V.R., SOUTH AFRICA 1877-79, CLASP, 1877-8 ‘LIEUT G. C. PALMES, 1-24TH FOOT’; QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 3 CLASPS, CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, JOHANNESBURG ‘MAJOR, G. C. PALMES, D.S.O., S. W. BORD.’; KING’S SOUTH AFRICA, 2 CLASPS, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902 ‘MAJ. G. C. PALMES, D.S.O., S. WALES BRD.’.

George Champney Palmes was born on 9 February 1857, third son of the Venerable James Palmes, Delhi Durbar. He entered the Army on 10 September 1875, as 2nd Lieutenant, 24th Foot, becoming Lieutenant on 10 September 1877. He served in ‘G’ Company under Captain Rainforth during the South African War of 1877-79, taking part in the Kaffir campaigns including the operations against the Galekas. Here ‘G’ Company, along with ‘D’ Company bore a conspicuous part at the battle of Quintana, being the only two Imperial Companies present. During the Zulu War of 1879, Palmes was at Helpmekaar at the time of Isandhlwana, his company had been ordered to take over from ‘B’ Company, 24th at Rorkes Drift several days prior to the battle but due to some miscommunication they did not depart until 22nd January* (see note). Now joined by Captain Upcher’s ‘D’ Company, ‘G’ Company moved to Rorkes Drift but before reaching met Major Spalding who informed them that Rorkes Drift had been taken by the enemy. Fires could be clearly seen at the Drift and it was decided the wise option would be to return to Helpmekaar. On their return they greeted by a small number of fugitives from Isandhlwana and here they prepared for the defence of Helpmekaar against an attack they were sure would follow. This attack never happened and they were relieved within a few days. During the rest of the War Palmes and ‘G’ Company served at various bases on the lines of communication.

A fine article on the defence of Helpmakaar can be se here:
https://www.anglozuluwar.com/images/Journal_19/TheDefenceofHelpmekaar.pdf

Condition; minor chipping to green enamel wreath on the first, the others with light contact marks, otherwise GVF. An extremely fine and rare 24th Foot/ South Wales Borderers Officers DSO group.