Distinguished Service Order, Major Reginald Turner, South African Light Horse, 1901 (metal)

Distinguished Service Order awarded to Major Reginald Turner, South African Light Horse, 1901. Major Turner served in the Boer War (1899-1902) and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) ‘in recognition of services during the operations in South Africa'. The latter included actions in Cape Colony, at Tugela Heights, in the Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, the Transvaal and Laings Nek. He went on to serve in World War One (1914-1918) and was mentioned three times in despatches. The South African Light Horse had been raised in Cape Colony in November 1899 and was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Julian Byng (later Viscount Byng of Vimy). They were a mix of South Africans (including loyal Afrikaners), British and even a contingent of Texan volunteers.