QSA & KSA PAIR, OFFICER, 4th NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT

QSA 1899-1902 With Cape Colony clasp & KSA 1901-1902 With clasps for South Africa 1901 & South Africa 1902 To- LIEUT.J.E.PAGE.N.STAFF.REGT
NEF & Complete with medal roll details that state the recipient served with the 4th battalion in South Africa.
Both medals engraved in the correct style.
John Edward Page was born 21st September 1871, the son of John Edward and Mary Ann Page of Southport. His father was a Stockbroker,

The family home in the 1881 & 1891 census was 12 Saunders Street, Southport.

Educated at Clifton College from September 1884 to July 1887.

He was then employed in the offices of Robert Sadler, solicitor, of Southport, doing his articles.

In 1887 he was listed as being 16 years old with a home address of 12 Saunders Street, Southport on a list of Candidates for Preliminary Examination in Latin & French to be held in Liverpool.

While all records are in English, law students were often tested in other languages.

Twice in 1890 he sat his Intermediate Law Examination and he failed to pass, but on the third attempt in January 1891 he passed

On 8th November 1892 he sat his Final Law Examinations, still employed by Robert Sadler, solicitor of Southport but now living at 35 Church Road, Richmond, S.W., and passed.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment (a militia unit based at Lichfield in Staffordshire) on the 19th March 1900. While in South Africa he was promoted Lieutenant on 24th April 1901.

The 4th North Staffs had been embodied on 24 January 1900 and volunteered for service in South Africa. It embarked with a strength of 24 officers and 546 other ranks under the command of Lt-Col Richard Mirehouse, and disembarked at Cape Town on 29 March 1900.

During the Boer war companies were detached at various times to guard railway lines and Boer prisoners on St Helena.

He joined the battalion in South Africa slightly later, sailing on the Dilwara from Southampton on the 7th July 1900.

On 25th June 1901 a determined attack was made on Fraserburg by the combined Commandos of Malan, Smit and Reitz totalling about 400 men. At the time the town was garrisoned by 85 North Staffs, with a few men of the town guards and the Cape Colony Cyclist Corps
.
Firing began at 5.30 am and continued until the arrival of a relief force at 6pm that evening.12 men of the 4th battalion were either killed or wounded.

He returned with the rest of the 4th Battalion, The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) on the Manhattan, which sailed for England on the 15th May 1902.

As a result of his service in South Africa, he was appointed an Honorary Lieutenant in the Army.

After the Boer war he remained an officer of the 4th battalion, being promoted Captain 6th June 1903. He was still serving in early 1908, but is next found being appointed a Captain in the 5th Battalion (T.F), The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 1st November, 1908.

He was living in Bude in 1911, which probably meant he was part of H Company which covered Bude, Stratton, Kilkhampton and Morwenstow.

He died 18 Mar 1911 at Marhamchurch, a village just outside of Bude in north Cornwall.

His estate was valued at £15,319, 2 shillings and 11 pence

Code: 58247