British South Africa Company 1890-97. With 'Rhodesia 1896' reverse (Troopr H A C Hurrell Gwelo Vol)

The recipient, Henry 'Harry' Allen Conolly Hurrell, held the rank of Trooper, while serving with the 'Gwelo Volunteers Corps'

The image with an officer wearing the uniform of the Gwelo Volunteer Corps, shows the recipients eldest brother Major William Hurrell, a veteran of the South African campaign against the Gaikas and Zulu's in 1879 (Frontier Light Horse), sometime of the Gwelo Volunteers who led a noteworthy patrol during the Rhodesian campaigns, and who was an original 'Rhodesia Pioneer' later Mayor of Gwelo, and both a confidant of Cecil Rhodes, and was a 'Pall-Bearer' at the mourning ceremony for Cecil Rhodes. There are lots of published articles / references to William Hurrell, not least the biographical article titled 'The Eventful Life of William Hurrell: Soldier, Miner, Farmer and Mayor' written by Angela & Geoffery Hurrell, that was published in 'The Pioneer' (Volume 3, June 1975) by 'The Rhodesia Pioneers' & Early Settlers' Society'

Presumably Henry 'Harry' Allen Connelly Hurrell - the youngest brother of William Hurrell - rode and fought with his brother, and or would have been very closely associated  with his brother's services during the years he remained in Rhodesia, circa 1895-1899

Medal Verification: The recipient is confirmed entitled to the British South Africa Company Medal with 'Rhodesia 1896' reverse per the respective campaign medal roll of the Gwelo Volunters (reference the searchable transcribed medal roll accessible on-line at the website www.angloboerwar.com)

Reference 'British Battles & Medals' (Spink, seventh edition 2006), the Gwelo Volunteers Corps were awarded an estimated 319 x 'Rhodesia 1896' medals

Henry 'Harry' Allen Connelly Hurrell, youngest son of William Hurrell (a Brewer and later Publican of the 'George and Dragon' Public House, Westhill, Wandsworth) and Elizabeth Hurrell (nee Head) was a native of the parish of St, Pancras, London, England, where he was born in 1869, and where he was baptised on, 6 February 1870. Harry's father had died in 1878, after which the widow became the registered Licensed Victualler & Publican of the 'George and Dragon' pub located at 14, West Hill, Wandsworth, England, in which public-house 'Harry' Hurrell was returned as a Licensed Assistant to his mother. 'Harry' - no doubt encouraged by the tales of his adventurer older brother, William, tried his hand being a Rhodesia Pioneer, and went to Rhodesia circa 1895, where he remained for several years during which time he assisted his eldest brother William Hurrell, in the family business enterprises in Gwelo, as well as serving in uniform there during the Rhodesia Rebellion of 1896. Sometime prior to 1900, 'Harry' had returned to his native England, where on 5 July 1899, he married Edith Charlotte Stone at the Holy Trinity Church, Hastings, Sussex, England. At the time of the compilation of the 1901 National Census for England and Wales, 'Harry' and his wife, are recorded living back at the family public-house, the 'George and Dragon' at Wandsworth, London, where 'Harry' is shown as 'Licensed Victualler Publican' and 'Head of Household' and 'Employer'. 'Harry' Hurrell is recorded to have died at Wandsworth, London, England on, 13 January 1906. At the time of his death, 'Harry' was recorded as being the Landlord of 'Ye Olde Bull', located at the High Street, Wandsworth, London, England

A most desirable 'Rhodesia' medal to a soldier whose family loomed large in the colonial history of Gwelo, Southern Rhodesia (now Gweru, Zimbabwe) 

Condition: GVF

Code: 25827