*British South Africa Company, 1890-97, Rhodesia 1896 reverse, no clasp (3618. Pte W. Dando. 7th Huss.), lightly toned, extremely fine, and apparently a regimentally unique casualty medal. Private William Dando of Kentish Town, London, is confirmed on the medal roll as having been killed in action on 12 July 1897 while serving with the 7th Hussars at M’guilse (or Mzwitswi’s Kraal) although the roll states his entitlement to an additional 1897 clasp. In his book ‘South Africa of Today’, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Younghusband wrote: “The 7th Hussars were handicapped for many reasons, the chief of which was their arrival upon the scene of action when the enemy had retired into their rocky kopjes and when, in consequence, the time for useful action by cavalry had passed. They only on one or two occasions had the opportunity of using their swords effectually, but they were able to establish a reputation for efficiency in rifle practise which few expected cavalry soldiers to possess. Once the Matabeles had been taken care of it was the turn of the Mashonas, normally a more placid people, they had been spurred on by the efforts of their Matabele counterparts. The local white population were unhappy that the government had not taken measures to prevent the stealing of cattle by the Mashona people and so the patrols of Hussars and Mounted Infantry were sent out to deal with the culprits. On 7th July 1897 Major Ridley’s column attacked M’guilse where a trooper was killed and Ridley was wounded in the leg… Casualties among the Hussars were few although Private Dando was reported killed.”
Estimate: £500-£700