An interesting trio to Honorary Captain James Walter, who served as Quartermaster and
Regimental Sergeant Major to the 5th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Queen’s Own Royal
Tower Hamlets Militia) for 15 years. 

1911 Coronation Medal privately engraved to Lieut. J. Walter. Qr. Mr. Rifle Brigade 
Queen’s South Africa Medal (3 Clasps – Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902) named to 8372 Q:M: Serjt: J. Walter. Rifle Brigade. 
Edward VII Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named to 8372 Sjt. Mjr. J. Walter. Rif. Bde. 

The medals are in good condition and are swing mounted for wear. 

James Walter was born on 27 August 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales and attested into the 2nd
Battalion The Rifle Brigade on 17 August 1886. Walter served in with the 2nd Battalion for 3
years and 10 months and the 4th Battalion for 5 years and 10 months, before transferring to the
permanent staff of The Rifle Brigade’s militia battalion, the 5th Battalion (The Queen’s Own
Royal Tower Hamlets Militia). 

Walter was serving as the battalion’s quartermaster sergeant during the Boer War, landing at
Capetown on 14 January 1902. For his service in South Africa, Walter received the Queen’s
South Africa Medal with 3 clasps. 

After the war, Walter, was appointed the 5th Battalion’s sergeant major and promoted to warrant
officer on 17 September 1903. He received the Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal on 1
January 1905. 

Walter was commissioned as quartermaster and honorary lieutenant in the 5th Rifles Brigade on
10 February 1906 and received the 1911 Coronation Medal as the 5th Battalion’s quartermaster. 

Walter remained in England throughout World War I, stationed with the 5th Battalion at Minster
(Sheppey). Walter was advanced to honorary captain on 10 February 1916. 

Walter retired from the service on account of ill-health on 28 August 1918, and died in Worthing,
Sussex, after a long illness on 16 October 1951.  

The group comes with research, medal rolls, and a copy photo of Walter as an acting corporal in 1888.