MORE than 90 years ago, William Henry Barker left his home to fight for King and Country in South Africa.

Now his descendants have given the medals he won in the Boer War to The Green Howards Regimental Museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Private Barker, of Northallerton, was a member of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, as The Green Howards were known then.

A total of 94 men from the area were sent to South Africa in February 1900 to support the members of The Green Howards battalions that were already fighting the Boers.

They made a small piece of military history because it was the first time that volunteers had been sent overseas to fight alongside regular soldiers.

Of the 94 men who set out, 90 returned to Yorkshire after a year's service, and were given a hero's welcome.

Pte Barker returned to his trade as an ironworks moulder, eventually working in Thornaby, near Stockton. He died in 1969 at the age of 94.

He received two medals -the Queen's South Africa Medal and the King's Medal for 20 years' service in the Volunteer Forces.

Now they have been presented to museum curator Major Roger Chapman by William Barker's grandsons, William and Michael Butler, and his great-grandson, Chris Butler.

Maj Chapman said: "We are delighted to receive these two medals -the Queen's South Africa Medal is an important acquisition for the museum, especially with its six bars showing where Pte Barker fought.

"The Volunteer Forces long-service medal will be the first we have had for the Boer War.

"We are very grateful to Pte Barker's family for their generous donation."

Published: 08/03/2005