Quote:
Originally Posted by CMichaud
This is my favorite rifle. Would have a hard time selling it...
It is a Long Lee that was carried by Trooper Garner from the Strathcona Horse during the Boer War.
Over the course of his service in South Africa, Alfred Garner etched his name as well as the names of the battles that he participated in on the butt of his Lee-Enfield rifle.
Engraved on his rifle were the following locations:
• PAARDEKOP
• AMESFOORT
• ERMELO
• CAROLINA
• TWYFLAAR
• BURGANDALE
On 4 September 1900, Pte Garner was severely injured at Badfontein. He was shot twice in the right thigh and once in the left shoulder. He would later be Mentioned in Dispatches for this action. Details of this action taken from the Regimental Diary state:
Wounded, No.98 Pte. Gamer, whose horse fell and prevented him from getting into the thick of the fight as soon as the others. Before he could join them he was severely wounded. One of the surgeons who was out shooting inside the outposts came up and dressed his wound. Some Boers were observed approaching but were stood off by the plucky surgeon with the aid of the wounded man's rifle.
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I would be honoured to possess something with that much history. Gorgeous rifle, hope you still take it out once in a while....