United Kingdom. An Order of the British Empire Commander & South African Medals to Colonel Octavius Todd, R.A.M.C

An Order of the British Empire, Commander, Military Division, in silver, featuring a light blue enamelled cross with a gilt center medallion surrounded by a red ring inscribed FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE, reverse plain with central cypher of King George, measures 62.1mm (w) x 84.8mm (h – inclusive of crown suspension and integral ring), weighs 49.7 grams (including ribbon segment), worn on a piece of original ribbon with red central strip denoting military division, enamels intact, light gilt wear, remains in extremely fine condition.

A Queen’s South Africa Medal, in silver, rim engraved “Colonel O. TODD. R.A.M.C.”, five bars: LAING’S NEK, TRANSVAAL, RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, TUGELA HEIGHTS, measures 36.3mm (w) x 85.5mm (h), weighs 50.2 grams, worn on replacement ribbon (glue residue on reverse), dark patina around the rim, light wear, in extremely fine condition.

A King’s South Africa Medal, in silver, rim engraved “Lt. Col. O. TODD. M.B. R.A.M.C”, two bars: SOUTH AFRICA 1902, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, measures 36.3mm (w) x 84.7mm (h), weighs 42.5 grams, worn on replacement ribbon (glue residue on reverse), lovely patina, minor wear, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Octavius Todd was born on July 1 1852 in Londona NWP India. He married Kathleen Mary Scott on August 14, 1880 in Norwich, England. They had three children, Ronald Ernest (born 1882), Valentine Otto (born 1884) and Eric Tudor Tallent (born 1886).

On May 5, 1891, he arrived from Harwich, England and began serving on garrison duty. He was promoted to Surgeon-Major Medical Staff on March 6, 1892.

His war services are as follows: “South African War, 1900-02. Principal Medical Officer of Division and Principal Medical Officer 14^th General Hospital. Relief of Ladysmith, including operations of February 5 to 7, 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (February 14 – 27, 1900), and action at Pieter’s Hill. Operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing’s Nek, June 6 to 9. Operations in Transvaal, May and June 1900. Despatches (Sir. R. H. Buller, June 19 and November 9, 1900).”

In 1909, he was placed on retired pay. In 1911, the Todd family returned to Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Todd was re-employed during the Great War, and died on October 18, 1920 in Portsmouth, England.