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QSA with a Tibet Medal - by: djb

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A rarely seen combination.


Picture courtesy of Liverpool Medals

QSA (4) CC OFS Tr SA02 (8385 Pte. F. Herbert. Rl: Fus. M.I.)
Tibet (1) Gyantse (8385 Pte F. Herbert, 1st Bn. Royl Fusrs.)

An interesting and rare pair, Pte Herbert served during the Boer War with the 4th Bn Royal Fusiliers, also called the 20th Battalion Mounted Infantry. It is unusual to see these two medals together as the 1st Battalion who fought in Tibet did not take part in the Boer War, the only men to earn both had to switch across battalions.

According to the medal roll he earned the the CC & OFS bars with the 20th Bn Mounted Infantry on attachment, earning the rest with the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, in the remarks stating “To 1st Bn R.F. Mandalay”
His transfer to the 1st Bn R. Fus then coincided with them being sent to Tibet on the Younghusband Expedition of 1904, being the only British Regiment present and the only British Regiment to have fought in action at an altitude of 16,500 feet.

He was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, He enlisted aged 18 Years 2 months on 7th November 1900, likely having heard plenty about the Boer War and itching to become 18 and join the war effort.

He was posted to South Africa with the 4th Battalion on 9th January 1902, two days earlier on the 7th January he had passed his Mounted Infantry class at Shorncliffe and was sent to form part of the Mounted Royal Fusiliers, later transferring to the 2nd Battalion on 11th August 1902.

As a reservist he was mobilised with the BEF on 5th August 1914 and was Posted on 14th August 1914, but he was found medically unfit and discharged on 25th November 1914, having served for 14 years, attributing his illness to his service in India between 1903 & 1908.

This is his full entitlement he did have the chance to earn any WW1 medals before his discharge.

£1,295

Medals to Q Battery RHA - by: djb

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‘It is scarcely neccessary for me to allude at any length to the work done by ‘Q’ Battery during the present war. You are not likely to forget the Sannah’s Post affair, when the little force to which we were attached was completely surprised in the early hours of the morning. As at Kushab, in 1857, the effectiveness of the fire of the guns, and the heroism and steadiness shown by all ranks of the battery, helped in no small degree to extricate the force from the dangerous position in which it was placed’
Lord Roberts’ speech upon presenting Medals to ‘Q’ Battery at Woolwich on 13 January 1902


Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (7) RoK Paar Drie Joh DH Witt SA01 (70829 Gnr. H. Knibbs, Q. B. R.H.A.)

Harry Knibbs was born at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in 1869. Enlisting in the Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich on 5 February 1889, he served with ‘Q’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery in South Africa. As a result of De Wet’s ambush of General Broadwood’s Brigade at Korn Spruit (Sannah’s Post) on 31 March 1900, ‘Q’ Battery Royal Horse Artillery behaved with great gallantry and managed to save four of its guns from an apparently hopeless situation. The conduct of the battery was praised by Brigadier-General Broadwood in his report on the action. As a result of this report, Lord Roberts took the unusual step of ordering the battery to ballot for the Victoria Cross, to choose one officer, one non-commissioned officer, one gunner and one driver to receive the coveted award, there being no other fair way to choose four from so many who performed so heroically on that day. As a result, Major Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Edward Haydon Parker, Gunner Isaac Lodge, and Driver Horace Henry Glasock were each awarded the Victoria Cross.

Living in his native Buckinghamshire, Knibbs is noted as the Akeley Cricket Captain and church violinist (Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press, 4 May 1929 and 21 October 1933, refers). He died at Bognor Regis on 14 September 1956.

Medals to the Royal Irish Regiment - by: djb

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Picture courtesy of DNW

DSO GV;
MVO 5th Class, Nr 44
IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897 (2d. Lieut. T. C. Fitzhugh 2d. Bn. Ryl. Ir: Regt.);
QSA (2) CC Witt (Lieut: T. C. Fitz-Hugh. Rl: Irish Regt.);
1914-15 Star (Capt. T. C. Fitz Hugh. M.V.O. R. Ir. Regt.);
British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. T. C. Fitz Hugh.);
Russia, Empire, Order of St. Anne, Third Class breast badge, with Swords, 44mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, gold mark and 1865-96 assay office mark to suspension loop; swords possibly added at a later date, the obverse central medallion re-painted;
Russia, Empire, Order of St. Vladimir, Fourth Class breast badge, with Swords, 40mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, gold mark and 1896-1908 kokoshnik mark to suspension loop, with additional gold marks and 1918-17 kokoshnik marks to hilts of swords, reverse central medallion missing and replaced with a painted plate, mounted as worn,

DSO London Gazette 1 January 1918.

MVO 5th Class London Gazette 11 August 1903

Russia, Order of St. Anne, Third Class with Swords, London Gazette 16 July 1921.

Russia, Order of St. Vladimir, Fourth Class with Swords, London Gazette 16 July 1921.

Terrick Charles FitzHugh was born in London on 16 November 1876, the son of William FitzHugh Esq., and was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment on 5 September 1896, and proceeded overseas with the 2nd Battalion to India on 26 January 1897. He saw action with them during the operations on the Samana Ridge and in the Kurram Valley, August to September 1897, and then at the Relief of Gulistan, 12-13 September 1897. Promoted Lieutenant on 15 March 1899, he transferred to the 1st Battalion, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, where he was present during operations in the Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, including the actions at Colesberg, 24 January to 12 February 1900; operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900; and operations in the Orange River Colony, May to July 1900, including the action at Bethlehem, 6-7 July 1900.

Proceeding to India on 28 June 1902, FitzHugh returned home on 18 March 1903, and was stationed in Ireland with the 2nd Battalion at the time of H.M. King Edward VII’s visit to Ireland, 1 July to 1 August 1903. During the visit the Battalion received new Colours from the King, with FitzHugh being one of the Officers in the Colour Party, and as a consequence he was appointed to the Fifth Class of the Royal Victorian Order. He was promoted Captain on 14 October 1903, and, having qualified as an Interpreter in both German and Russian, proceeded to the Staff College in 1905, passing its final examinations in 1907, by which time he had also qualified as an Interpreter in French.

FitzHugh transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 28 May 1907, and subsequently obtained employment with the British Engineers’ Association as its Commissioner in China, where he added Mandarin to his repertoire of languages. On the outbreak of the Great War he returned to England and re-joined his old Regiment, proceeding to France with the Second Battalion in December 1914. He remained with the Regiment until 5 May 1915, taking part in the early stages of the First Battle of Ypres, before transferring to the Quartermaster-General’s Department as a Staff Officer, first at Calais until October 1915, and subsequently at Dunkirk. His final appointment during the War was at the Headquarters of the Chinese Labour Corps, where his knowledge of Mandarin was put to good use. For his services during the Great War, he was twice mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 4 January 1917 and 11 December 1917), and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order.

FitzHugh returned to England in December 1918, and subsequently served in the Russian Intervention, as part of he British force operating out of Murmansk. He also served with a British Mission in Estonia, and assisted in the repatriation of British Prisoners of War from Finland. For his services he was again Mentioned in Despatches ‘for valuable services in connection with military operations in Finland and the Baltic States’ (London Gazette 3 February 1920), and was awarded the Russian Orders of St. Vladimir, Fourth Class with Swords, and St. Anne, Third Class with Swords. Demobilized on 11 June 1920, he continued to act in the Baltic area on behalf of the British Committee of the Russian Red Cross in Great Britain, by going to Finland to report on the situation regarding the large number of Russian refugees in that country, before returning once more to China. He died in the German Hospital, Peking, on 12 August 1939.

Intro - by: Tanton1993

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Hi all,
I am an amateur historic researcher with an interest for British society and how it was influenced by warfare from 1899 to the beginning of the national service period. Recently I undertook research for the London Borough of Bexley's Local Studies & Archive Centre which examined how the local area was involved in the South African War. This culminated in a public lecture which proved to be very popular with the local history enthusiasts. More recently I am currently researching the soldiers from the Queen's Westminster Volunteers (13th Middlesex) who served in the City of London Imperial Volunteers during the Boer War. They are memorialised in Westminster Abbey's north cloisters.

Their names are listed below;

1. Lance Corporal Charles Francis Nixon
2. Private Frederick Nance Aylen
3. Private James Chapman Appleford
4. Private John Heath Bryce
5. Private Reginald Darling Cameron
6. Private Sidney Carr
7. Private Francis Henry Welsby

If any members of this forum would like to share any information on these men please do.

with many thanks,
George

George E Croysdale, Imperial Light Horse - killed in a train accident 22.10.1903 - by: BereniceUK

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On Thursday evening, 22nd October 1903, around eight o'clock, an express train, travelling from Leeds, Bradford, and Halifax to Manchester and Liverpool, ran into a stationary tank engine, standing just outside a tunnel, after having passed through Sowerby Bridge station. There was only one fatality.
__________________

The railway accident which occurred in a tunnel near Sowerby Bridge of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, on Thursday night, resulted in the death of one of the passengers of the express from Leeds to Liverpool, Mr. G. E. Croysdale, a commercial traveller. He had his foot cut off and much crushed. It is presumed that he was killed in getting out of his carriage just as the slow train from Manchester ran in to the of the express. Mr. Croysdale was formerly in the Imperial Light Horse, and went through the siege of Ladysmith. Between twenty and thirty passengers were injured, but none seriously. The accident occurred owing to the express running into a light engine which had been allowed to remain on the metals. A signalman has been suspended.

The Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Friday 31st October 1903
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THE LATE MR. CROYSDALE.

WENT THROUGH THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH.
Mr. George Croysdale, the Liverpool commercial traveller, killed in the express collision at Sowerby Bridge, was employed by a firm of cork dealers. He was formerly in the Imperial Light Horse, and went through the siege of Ladysmith. He leaves a widow, but no family. A railway official was sent to-day to inform Mrs. Croysdale of her husband's death. Numbers of people who expected friends by the train called to-day at the Exchange Station, Liverpool.

Yorkshire Evening Post, Friday 23rd October 1903

Medals to HMS Monarch - by: djb

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The medals to the commander of HMS Monarch during the Boer War


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) CC Paard Drie Joh (Com: S. V. Y. De Horsey, R.N, H:M:S: Monarch) impressed naming, official correction to third initial;
1914-15 Star (Capt. S. V. Y. De Horsey, R.N.R.);
BWM & VM (Capt. S. V. Y. De Horsey. R.N.R.)

Spencer Victor Yorke de Horsey was born at Cowes, Isle of Wight, on 4 June 1863, son of Admiral Sir Algernon de Horsey, K.C.B. He joined the Navy as a Midshipman on 24 April 1879; Sub-Lieutenant, 24 April 1883; Lieutenant, 30 June 1886. He was Lieutenant in command of No. 52 torpedo-boat when it was run down and sunk in Argostoli Bay, Cephalonia, during night manoeuvres in October 1887, by a first-class boat of the attacking force, two men being drowned. As Senior Lieutenant of Archer he landed in command of a party for the protection of the British Legation at Söul during the war in Korea; was present when the Palace was taken and the King made prisoner by the Japanese forces in July and August 1894; with boats of Archer rescued, after two days’ search, the Captain and part of the crew of the Chinese cruiser Kuang Yi, destroyed to avoid capture in Prince Jerome Gulf. Received the thanks of the Chinese Government for this service.

In January 1898, as Lieutenant-Commander in Plover off North Borneo, he served in two expeditions against Si Tali, a proscribed rebel, resulting in his stockade being taken, and himself and followers killed or captured. In August 1898 he received the thanks of the Colonial Office for services rendered while with the special commission for the newly acquired territory near Hong Kong.

Commander of Monarch during the war in South Africa. Landed after Graspan to join the Naval Brigade; was present at the battle of Magersfontein and subsequent operations under Lord Roberts, including the taking of Pretoria, when he was severely wounded on 4 June 1900 (Twice mentioned in despatches, Queen’s medal with four clasps). De Horsey was specially promoted to Captain for services during the South African war (London Gazette 6 November 1900) and received a pension for wounds.

De Horsey was appointed Captain of the second class cruiser Scylla in June 1902, and of the armoured cruiser Kent in December 1905. He was promoted to Rear-Admiral in November 1909, and was placed on the Retired List, at his own request, on 21 August 1911. He was granted a temporary commission as a Captain in the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 November 1914. He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 9 August 1915, and to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 1 January 1919. Admiral Spencer de Horsey died on 19 March 1937.

Britannia Fair March 17th 2019 - by: ianbrentnall

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Will anyone else be going to the Fair - maybe meet up for a coffee and chat?

"Upside Down" naming on the QSA - by: LinneyI

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Interested forum members
In responding to a post regarding to a Distinguished Conduct medal group, DJB commented that "upside down" naming on the QSA was something of a rarity. Which rang a bell somewhere in a dusty corner!! Attached is a pic of a single clasp "Defence of Kimberley" QSA medal, impressed "upside down" to "Serjt: G.S. Ronaldson. Kimberley Town GD". The pair came with a K.Star; plus another pair to an apparent relative involved in the Mafeking Relief and later the FID.
The "upside down" DofK QSA is not renamed; the diameter is quite consistent. Both QSA and K.Star are in virtual mint state. I suppose anything can happen when such a large number of medals have to be named. However, I have not personally seen another "upside down" example on a QSA - although recall some time ago seeing a reference to another QSA so named on a Dealer's list.
Comments, anyone?
Regards
IL

Dunoon Tribute Medal....... - by: QSAMIKE

De Bloe of the Bedford D.M.T. and 9th S.A.H. - by: Rory

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Joseph John De Bloe

Farrier Corporal, Bedford District Mounted Troops
Trooper, Gorringe's Flying Column – Anglo Boer War
Private, 9th South African Horse – WWI


- Queens South Africa Medal to Far: Cpl. J. De Bloe, Bedford D.M.T.
- British War Medal to Pte. J.J. De Bloe, 9th S.A.H.
- Victory Medal to Pte. J.J. De Bloe, 9th S.A.H.


Joseph De Bloe was born in the small Eastern Cape hamlet of Somerset East in about 1878 the son of Joseph De Bloe and his wife Alida, born Schoeman. As was so often the case in these isolated and remote communities an Englishman met and married a woman of Dutch farming descent thereby blurring the cultural lines. This in itself wasn’t a problem but there was always the possibility of strife and confused loyalties should conflict between the two cultures spring up.

This was exactly what happened in October 1899 when Joseph would have been 21 years of age. The Anglo Boer War commenced between the two Dutch-speaking Republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal and the might of the British Empire. The remaining territories in what was to later become South Africa, comprised the Cape Colony and Natal – both of which were Crown territories legally annexed to and governed by the United Kingdom.

Initially the war was confined to northern parts of Natal, where the Boers besieged Ladysmith, and the uppermost parts of the Cape Colony where they laid siege to Kimberley and Mafeking but, as the war raged on and more British troops combined with locally raised units took to the field, the Boers were driven back and, in what became known as the guerrilla phase of the war, small highly mobile commando units would harass isolated pockets of British lines of communication stealing what they needed and then riding off into the distance.

Additionally, in a desperate bid to add men to their cause they ventured south into the Eastern and Southern Cape on the look-out for Dutch-speaking men to join them. They were also in need of supplies and would frequently “invest” some of the smaller towns they encountered, plunder the shops, steal the bounty from neighbouring farms and then move on.

For this very reason, quite apart from the irregular Colonial units already referred to; there was a need to protect the towns and their burghers as well as those on the farms in the districts surrounding them. This led to the creation of Town Guards and District Mounted Troops – the role of the first was to protect the townspeople and their possessions from attack from these marauding commandos and the second was to fulfil the same function but with a remit to ride further afield in order to keep the Boers at bay.

Bedford and its neighbouring towns of Somerset East and Adelaide were examples of this strategy – all had both a Town Guard and a D.M.T. – a study of the medal rolls reveals a number of surnames with a Dutch or even English bent but of men whose home language would have been Dutch by the time the war commenced. Why would this be the case? For the reason I advanced earlier – the mixing of the cultures through marriage and where the women of the homesteads had the most influence over their children whilst their men farmed the lands.

Thus it would have been a common sight to hear and see Dutch spoken amongst members of Town Guards and the District Mounted Troops. Whatever the case may be Joseph De Bloe threw in his lot with the Bedford D.M.T. as a Farrier with the rank of Corporal. This outfit certainly saw its fair share of exposure to the ever present Boer threat. The Dundee Evening Telegraph of 11 May 1901 reported on one such incident in which they were involved:-

“The Boers have been beaten off by the Bedford and Beaufort (Fort Beaufort a neighbouring town) district mounted troops. The Bedford men came into touch with the enemy near the town on Tuesday, and drove them off. The Town Guard has been in the trenches since Saturday. Business is altogether suspended. It is reported that the Boers are in a tight corner, as there are no serviceable horses left on the farms.”

This was a typical action and probably one of many the D.M.T. men were called upon to undertake in defence of their district.

The war over on 31 May 1902 the D.M.T.’s and the Town Guards were disbanded, their members earning the Queens Medal for their efforts. It would also appear from the medal rolls that many of the men saw either pre or post service with Gorringe’s Flying Column – an irregular Eastern Cape-based unit – but an account of their particular involvement is unknown.

De Bloe returned to his civilian pastimes – that of a Farmer combined with Blacksmith work. There was little to trouble the tranquillity of the area in which he lived, the Frontier wars of the 1870’s had long since ended and peace among the locals prevailed. What hadn’t been foreseen was the advent of the Great War in August 1914 where Great Britain and her Empire were pitted against Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and his Allies. Many of the men in South Africa were not involved in the opening gambit on African soil – the invasion of German South West Africa – but once these troops had returned in July 1915, the option of taking the fight to either East Africa or to the Western Front in Europe opened up.

De Bloe chose the first option and, at Roberts Heights on 15 May 1916, completed the Attestation Papers for service with the 1st Mounted Brigade for service in German East Africa. Joining the details section of the 9th South African Horse he claimed to be 43 years old, married to Elizabeth Catherine with six children and that he was a Farrier by trade. He also confirmed that he had fought in the Anglo Boer War. Physically he was 5 feet 9 inches in height with a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He was a Presbyterian by way of religious denomination. The address he provided was “Oakdale” a farm in the Adelaide District.

Having been passed as Fit by the Doctor he was assigned the rank of Private with no. 6211.

On 16 June 1916 he embarked with his regiment aboard the H.M.T. "Armadale Castle" destined for East Africa where, on arrival, the 9th S.A.H. was placed under Major General J.L. Van Deventer’s 2nd Division, more specifically the 1st S.A. Mounted Brigade under Brigadier General Manie Botha. They were in good company with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th S.A.H. regiments alongside them. Added to this was the 3rd S.A. Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General Berrange which included the 9th, 10th 11th and 12th South African Infantry.

The strength of the 2nd Division had been greatly reduced by sickness, due to the hardships and exposure during their original advance and the rainy season, and to the shortage of supplies. About the middle of June 1916 there were about 1200 sick men in hospital. Towards the end of May and the beginning of June reinforcements and fresh units arrived.

The Germans kept up an intermittent bombardment of the camp, paying particular attention to an airfield which had been built which was eventually moved to twelve miles north of Kondoa. On 24 June explosions were heard and fires seen behind the enemy position, and on the following day the infantry were pushed forward. The enemy positions were found to be only lightly held and by nightfall the whole of his line was occupied by the South African troops.

General Van Deventer had now to wait for sufficient supplies to amass before he could continue his advance. On 7 July the 9th South African Horse joined the 2nd Division. The Saranda (Kilimatinde) Column, consisting of a squadron of S.A. Horse and the 9th S.A. Infantry moved off under the command of Colonel Kirkpatrick, on 14 July, for Kwa Mtoro, which was occupied on the 20th. On the 26th they reached Kaia; and on the next day, just as the advance guard was approaching Mpondi, a heavy fire was opened on them with machine guns and rifles.

The country was very dense bush, and the enemy were in position barring the road. The mountain guns were brought into action and the 9th South Africans pushed straight in, under cover of well-directed gun fire. They carried the position and Mpondi was occupied in the late afternoon. They had eight killed and nine wounded. Considering it was a direct frontal attack on a prepared position, they got off very lightly. On 30 July this column occupied Saranda and Kilimatinde without further opposition.

Much skirmishing was experienced in the following months but sickness was taking its toll on the men. On 25 December an enemy force, estimated at 500 rifles, with machine guns, was holding a position about three miles to the north of Lukegeta Neck. General Van Deventer divided his force into three columns with Colonel Hartigan on the right with the 1st, 4th, 7th and 9th S.A. Horse (dismounted as all their horses had succumbed to sickness), numbering in total about 500 rifles. The right and left columns had orders to march by Makungwas and Boma Likininda’s to Muhanga. By the time they arrived the enemy had broken up into small parties and fled.

It was then decided to relieve all white troops and send them to Iringa, from where they were to be repatriated to South Africa. De Bloe sailed for the Union aboard the H.M.T. "Ingoma" where, on arrival in Durban on 16 February 1917 and having contracted the inevitable Malaria whilst in the tropics, he was discharged “Permanently Unfit for General War Service”. On the same day he was admitted to No. 3 General Hospital with a Fractured Arm - whether or not this was incurred whilst on the ship or in East Africa is unknown but it was to cause him significant discomfort. On 27 February he was transferred to No. 4 General Hospital at Roberts Heights from where he was granted 2 months leave pending discharge.

His arm was still troubling him on 17 July 1917 when he was again admitted for treatment - this time to a Covlescent Camp from which he was finally discharged on 9 October 1917. He was allowed to claim one year and 57 days service and his Military Character was regarded as Very Good. Having been paid up to date he returned to his farm in Adelaide which is where his medals were despatched to.

After a long and eventful life De Bloe passed away at his residence in Church Street, Adelaide on 29 September 1948 at the age of 75 years 8 months from Heart Failure caused by Diabetes. He was a Retired Blacksmith at the time of his death and was survived by his five children; his wife having predeceased him on 28 May 1925.




Uitenhage and Montagu TGs - pics from Creswicke Vol. VII - by: LinneyI

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Interested Forum members
More from Vol VII.
Regards
IL.

3059, Pte henry Wakeley, Wiltshire Regiment - by: grahamila

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I know this man was taken prisoner at Rensburg on 14 February 1900 and was released on an unknown date. Does anyone have any further information on this man?

5332, Pte E Watkins, Wiltshire Regiment - by: grahamila

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I am researching this man who was wounded at Bethlehem on 7 July 1900 and died of his wounds on 16 July 1900. I have found the notification of the wounding in the Times but cannot find the notification of his death. Has anyone come across that notification? Also, where is he likely to have been buried?

The Ernest Wrightson Memorial Medal - by: BereniceUK

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Corporal Ernest C. Wrightson, of the Eastern Province Horse, died on 8th August 1900, from wounds received in action in May. He was a Old Boy of King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, and the following year his father offered the school a bronze medal of honour in memory of his son.

The school possesses three Wrightson Medals.

The Ernest Wrightson Medal for Shooting, won by R. Richard Godfrey, 1925.



The Ernest Wrightson Medal for Honor, won by N. Squier (later a headmaster at the school), 1905.



The Ernest Wrightson Medal for Shooting, won by Cadet J. Sayers, 1929.





THE WRIGHTSON MEDAL FOR HONOUR.
Corporal E. Wrightson fell last year in the South African Campaign. His father was wishful to perpetuate the memory of his son, who was an old boy of this School. He requested and obtained permission from the Governors to offer a medal of honour in memory of his son, which was to be given to the youth who in the opinion of his schoolfellows was the most honourable boy in the School.
The result of the voting was that Headland, D., the silver medallist of 1899, and brother of this year’s medallist and of a former medallist, has been awarded this honourable distinction by 32 votes, the next youth receiving 17 votes.
Essex County Chronicle, Friday 16th August 1901
__________________

Thursday was "Speech Day" at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, and it was observed with the customary entertainment and distribution of medals and good book prizes. The chairman of the governors, Mr. W. W. Duffield, occupied the chair, and the distribution of prizes was made by the Rev. Canon Lake, rector of Chelmsford, as follows: -
……..The Wrightson Memorial Medal for Honour, N. Squier.
The Essex Newsman, Saturday 29th July 1905
__________________

In 1903, four boys were nominated, but the result of the voting was so close that it was decided that in future there should be an absolute majority. Over the ensuing years, the voting process, and perhaps also the difficulty in defining "honour," led to disputes, and two governors attended the vote in 1908.
The following year, 1909, Mr. Wrightson recommended that the medal in future be awarded for shooting and drill, with the expense of altering the inscription on the medal being borne by the governors. In 1923 the award became The Wrightson Medal for Shooting, and in 1932 the Wrightson connection disappeared, with another parent, a Mr. Dains, endowing the Shooting Medal prize. Since the late 1960s, when competition for shooting became less keen, the Dains Medal was awarded to the senior NCO of the cadet corps in recognition of his long service. This prize is now sponsored by another individual.

Ernest Wrightson is also remembered at the school as one of the two names on a stained-glass window.

My thanks to Mrs. B. E. Gray, the school's Honorary Archivist, and to Lindsey Thompson, PR & Marketing Manager at KEGS, for information on the medals, and for the photos.

i am trying to find information about my great grandfather william barrell - by: annieb

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hello. im am looking for any information about my great grandfather wiliam barrell from dorstone herefordshire who took part in both boer wars and also ww1.his no was 88332 royal field artillery. he was also involved n ww2 in some way.

William Bernard Edward Murphy - by: gavinpeterson

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My name is Gavin Peterson and have been researching my ancestors for my Family Tree and have come across the story of William Murphy which I found very interesting. William married my maternal great grandmother, widow Sara Philida Jacoba Slater (born van Dyk), see the attached marriage certificate. They had 2 children, my uncle Ted Murphy and aunt Alice Blanche Murphy. My grandmother was Mabel Mary Slater, daughter of Sara. Mabel married my grandfather, Johannes August Petersen in 1891, he was born in Hamburg, Germany and went out to S A to work on the Gold Mines in Nigel. My father Thomas Nigel was a product of that marriage. When I first got married in 1960 in Durban, we had the pleasure of having Uncle Ted at our wedding and had the use of his Rolls Royce
If any members have any more info to share I would appreciate it

Gert Vorster of the Albert Burghers - by: Rory

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Gert Jacobus Vorster

Private, Albert Burghers – Ninth Frontier War (Pokwane)

- South African General Service Medal with clasp 1877 – 8 to Pte. G. Vorster, Albert Burgs.

Gert Vorster was born in Burghersdorp in the Eastern Cape of South Africa on the 2nd of February 1856, the son of Abraham Jacobus Vorster and his wife Anna Johanna Vorster, born Kruger. Vorster was a son of the soil, a farmer and the son of a farmer in an arid and windswept region of the country which was beset by more than just the problems the elements brought to bear.

This was Frontier country – the stomping ground of the black tribes to the east – and the very people for whom family’s like the Vorster’s had been brought into the territory in order to act as a buffer. They were constantly harassed and their crops destroyed, their livestock stolen and their very lives endangered.

With the above as a backdrop it wasn’t heard to see why, when there was a call to arms from the Cape government, the locals turned out in droves to volunteer their services. As many as nine so-called Kaffir wars were fought between the settlers on the one hand and the native tribes on the other. This led to the creation of many small but highly mobile and effective “units” to fight and contain the native threat.

Small wonder then that Vorster, when called upon to do so, volunteered, along with several of his siblings and family, to enlist with the Albert Burghers. Albert was the name given to the magisterial district in which his farm in Burghersdorp fell and the action in which he was to play a part was that against Chief Pokwane which took place from 21 to 28 January 1878.

Sir Arthur Cunynghame, in his book, My Command in South Africa, makes one of the very few references to be found in the history books about the Albert Burghers and the role they played in the conflict. He wrote:

“It appeared to me a kind of raid which was to be deprecated, especially at this moment, and one more likely to drive natives into rebellion than to avert it.

But troops had now assembled at Queenstown, and the farmers that composed these forces were naturally irritated at the losses they had sustained in cattle; and as there was no control from supreme authority, military movements were carried on by the commandants and magistrates.

It must be confessed that Mr Hemming the resident Magistrate of Queenstown, who led the expedition against Gongobella, or whoever else was responsible for it, was, apparently, particularly anxious to take up the first excuse for fighting.

Gongobella was a British subject and if he had committed any act against the laws of the colony, there were proper methods of procedure. In all that Gongobella did, there is nothing to indicate any disloyalty against Government.

It seemed convenient by the Queenstown people to take advantage of the presence of a large number of Albert Burghers and some Aliwal North Volunteers, in order to stamp out a petty chief who had given occasion for uneasiness.”

But what was it all about? The Cape Times of 29 January 1878 carried the following article: -

“Gongubele (sic) a Tembu chief, living about 25 miles from Queenstown, bought a farm some time ago in the Queenstown district, and, neglecting to pay the second instalment of the purchase money, was sued in the Circuit Court, as would have happened to a white man. Judgement been given Gongubele spread a rumour among his people that the white men were coming to take away his property by force. At this time, in consequence of the prevalence of stock stealing, the roads were regularly patrolled by armed burghers, and the appearance of one of these troops gave some colour to Gongubele’s story.

At all events one day the war cry was raised. A trader’s shop was pillaged and the property of white men resident in the location made free with. Gongubele, summonsed by Mr Hemming, the Resident Magistrate, disregarded this instruction. It was then made known that he was mustering his people in force and inviting the aid of other sections of his tribe.

Mr Hemming was organising a force to bring Gongubele to order, and just as they were about to march when they received word that Gongubele was so loyally disposed that he would surrender without firing a shot.

On the 23rd Mr Hemming left Queenstown with 400 Europeans and 200 natives, proceeding into Gongubele’s country. They arrived at sunrise on the morning of the 24th, having been fired at on their way thither. Immediately the van of the force arrived they were attacked, the Burghersdorp men not reaching the scene of the action until an hour after the engagement.

For two hours a hard fight was maintained against 1600, resulting in their total defeat. Over 100 Kaffirs were killed, and many were wounded. The Burghersdorp men immediately on arrival began scouring the country, and on the 26th the combined Queenstown force made an attack, which was unsuccessful. The fighting was reported as being severe, but the result would seem to show that a great deal of gunpowder was blazed away but with little effect. The number of the enemy killed is not given.

There was a small loss on our side, one headman being cut two pieces and three natives wounded. The Kaffirs had posted themselves in kloofs and behind rocks, from the shelter of which our men could not drive them, and having expended all their ammunition they had to retreat. More men are urgently called for.”

Soon after the petty squabbling and fighting assumed a more sinister aspect and the fight relocated to the Transkei and Basutoland territories but, for the Albert Burghers, the men from Burghersdorp, the fighting was over.

Vorster and his comrades returned to their farms and continued with their lives.

Gert Jacobus Vorster passed away at his town residence, 30 Potgieter Street, Burghersdorp, on Saturday, 7 February 1942 at the age of 86 years 6 days. His wife of many years, Wilhelmina Frederika Adriana Vorster (born Henning) had predeceased him.

He was survived by his children, Abraham Jacobus Vorster, Anna Johanna Spies, Willem Frederik Vorster and Martha Catharina Coetzee.










Guy's Hospital, Southwark, London - by: BereniceUK

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Thomas Jones 18.6.1900
Quinten Reid Veitch 2.2.1902
Charles Pope Walker 5.1.1900
Frederick Murray Russell 29.11.1900
Hugh Arnold Bryant 7.6.1900
Francis Wellford 1.6.1901
Stanley Whicher 27.4.1900
Richard Truman Fitz-Hugh 15.6.1900
Hugh Bernard-Onraët 27.2.1900
Charles Bernard Sells 22.1.1901
Lawson Jervis Hughes 11.6.1900

All the men named above can be found at Guy's Hospital Memorial List (all twentieth century conflicts), with personal information - www.kingscollections.org/warmemorials/guys-hospital/

















Below, I've added press reports where I've been able to find mentions of men's deaths.


"News was received in Manchester yesterday of the death in South Africa of Thomas Jones, the well-known consulting surgeon, of Manchester, who left England early in the year to take the position of chief surgeon to the Welsh Military Hospital. Mr Jones was honorary surgeon of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, the authorities of which granted him a six months' leave of absence in March last to accept the invitation to proceed to the Cape. A message was received from Springfontein a few days ago stating that the distinguished surgeon was ill, but later information was to the effect that he was better. This morning the news, however, came that he had passed away."
North-Eastern Daily Gazette, Thursday 21st June 1900
_____________

"Cape Volunteer M.S.C. - Major Quinten R. Veitch, valvular heart disease, Cape Town, Feb. 2."
The Times, Thursday 6th February 1902
_____________

"Major CHARLES POPE WALKER , M.B., of the Royal Army Medical Corps, was in his 40th year, having entered the medical service of the Army as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps on July 28, 1886, and obtained the rank of major on the 28th of July last year."
The Morning Post, Thursday 11th January 1900
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"Death of a Late Durham Doctor at Bloemfontein. - Dr Hugh Arnold Bryant, whose death is announced to have taken place at Bloemfontein, from enteric fever, was well known in the North. Some years ago he occupied the position of house surgeon at the Durham County Hospital, winning the confidence and respect of the hospital authorities. By the members of the medical profession in the city generally, as well as in other circles in which he moved, he was held in high esteem. The news of his decease has been received with many expressions of regret in the city, where during his residence he made many friends. Dr Bryant, who was a young man, was a son of Dr Thomas Bryant, of Guy's Hospital, London, a distinguished member of the medical profession. The late Dr Bryant went out to South Africa at the end of last year, and was attached to the staff of the Army Medical Corps."
Newcastle Weekly Courant, Saturday 23rd June 1900
_____________

"Mr. R. Cary Gilson, headmaster of King Edward VI. Schools, Birmingham, asks us to state that in the list of those "mentioned" in Lord Roberts's despatch, published in The Times of Wednesday, the spelling of the name of Surgeon Captain Francis Wellford, of the 7th Batt. Imperial Yeomanry (who died on June 1 of wounds received at Vlakfontein), should be as now given. In spelling it "Welford" we followed the London Gazette. Mr. Gilson explains that as Captain Wellford's mother (who is resident in Australia) had specially asked to have the mistake, which occurred in the telegram announcing his death, corrected, he applied to the War Office both personally and by letter on the subject, without any effect, as this repetition of the mistake shows."
The Times, Saturday 13th September 1901
_____________

"News has been received in Nottingham with deep regret of the death of Mr. Richard Truman Fitz-Hugh, the only son of Mr. Richard Fitzhugh, J.P., of Clumber-crescent, The Park, Nottingham, which has just occurred at Deelfontein, South Africa, from enteric fever. The first intimation of his illness was received in a letter written about three weeks ago, in which the deceased mentioned that he was suffering from shivering fits, but it was not until the receipt of a further communication, which came to hand on Friday morning, that anything serious was apprehended. This was contained in the form of a telegram from Colonel Sloggitt, at Deelfontein (which is situated a few miles from De Aar Junction), and was to the following effect: - "Regret to inform you that your son is dangerously ill with enteric fever." Two days of anxious suspense followed, only to be terminated in the saddest way possible, by another telegram from Colonel Sloggitt received on Tuesday. It ran- "Deeply regret to inform you of the death of your son from enteric fever - an irreparable loss to this hospital, he having endeared himself to all." It was early in February that Mr. R. T. Fitzhugh left this country for South Africa. He was one of the first to be selected by the committee entrusted with the important task of choosing the staff of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital, and he sailed on the Majestic from Southampton with a number of other doctors and nurses. As will be gathered from the above telegram, his work at the Deelfontein base hospital has been of a valuable character, and the regret felt there at his untimely decease will only be exceeded by that of his sorrowing relatives at home. Mr. R. T. Fitzhugh, who held the degree of M.B., Lond., was, as has been already stated, the only son of Mr. Richard Fitzhugh, J.P., of this city. He was first educated at a private school, and then at the Nottingham High School, subsequently going to the large public school at Shrewsbury, where he completed his education. On leaving Shrewsbury he went to Guy's Hospital, London, where he remained for seven years, and towards the end of his course there filled the position of house physician for the customary period of six months. He then returned to Nottingham, and acted as locum tenens at the General Hospital for a short time, a position which he only relinquished to serve his country in South Africa. Mr. Fitzhugh, who was 28 years of age, was an enthusiastic athlete, having acquired some reputation both as a footballer and cricketer. The news of the termination of a career so full of promise by an attack of the malignant disease, which is accounting for more deaths than the wounds inflicted by the enemy, has evoked much sympathy for his family."
Nottinghamshire Guardian, Saturday 23rd June 1900
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"Lieutenant HUGH BERNARD ONRAËT, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, killed in the final engagement at Ladysmith on the 27th February, had not yet seen a year's service, having only entered the medical service of the Army on July 28, 1899. He was born on October 9, 1871, so that he was in his twenty-ninth year."
The Standard, Tuesday 6th March 1900
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"SELLS . - On the 22nd Jan., from enteric fever, at the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital, Deelfontein, South Africa, while serving on Medical Staff, CHARLES BARNARD SELLS, of Guy's Hospital, Lance-Corpl. 31st Coy. Imperial Yeomanry, aged 26 years, eldest son of Charles J. Sells, White Hall, Guildford."
The Times, Saturday 26th January 1901 C. B. Sells is also named on the Guildford memorial tablet, as a Surgeon Dresser [Hospital Orderly].
_____________

"At Guy's Hospital yesterday, a large company of visitors attended the unveiling of the South African War memorial.

The war memorial, which has been subscribed for to the extent of £200 by Guy's men and their friends, takes the form of a drinking-fountain, and is erected in the colonnade of the hospital immediately to the south of the doorway leading to the Astley Cooper Ward. It is 6ft. 6in. wide and 7ft. 6in. high, the design being classic. The base is executed in Sienna marble, the columns on either side in Verte-Antico, with gunmetal Ionic Capitals, and the entablature in Pavanazza. The pediment is surmounted by the Guy's Hospital arms in bronze and enamel. Over the fountain is a canopy supported by cherubs, and this bears the following inscription in gunmetal letters: - "To the Guy's men who died in the South African War, 1899-1901. Ante Diem Perierunt Sed Militantes Sed Pro Patria." The names of those commemorated are arranged in the order of the dates at which they entered the hospital as students. They are: - Thomas Jones, superintendent of the Welsh Army Hospital, died at Springfontein; Quinten Reid Veitch, major Cape Medical Staff Corps, died at Cape Town; Charles Pope Walker, major Royal Army Medical Corps, died in Ladysmith during siege; Frederick Murray Russell, captain New Zealand contingent, killed in action at Rhenoster Kop; Hugh Arnold Bryant, civil surgeon, died at Bloemfontein; Francis Wellford, surgeon-captain 7th Imperial Yeomanry, killed at the battle of Vlakfontein; Stanley Whicher, civil surgeon Natal Field Force, died at Mooi River; Richard Truman Fitz-Hugh, civil surgeon attached to Imperial Yeomanry Hospital, Deelfontein, where he died; Hugh Bernard-Onraët, lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps, killed at the battle of Peter's Hill on the relief of Ladysmith; Charles Bernard Sells, surgical assistant at the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital, Deelfontein, where he died; and Lawson Jervis Hughes, mounted medical orderly Imperial Yeomanry Field Hospital, killed in action at Kroonstad, on his refusing to surrender. The memorial has been executed from the design of Mr. Frederick Wheeler, F.R.I.B.A., by the Coalbrookdale Company.

GENERAL SIR RICHARD HARRISON, who is a governor of the hospital, unveiled the fountain at the request of Dr. FREDERICK TAYLOR, the senior physician; and, in asking Mr. Cosmo Bonsor, the treasurer of the hospital, to accept it and hold it in trust, he remarked that the memorial, which recorded for all time the gallantry and noble work of those who had fallen, would console the relatives and remind those who passed by of the path of duty.

Mr. Bonsor accepted the memorial on behalf of the Prince of Wales the president and the governors of the hospital.

A short service was afterwards held in the hospital chapel."

The Times, Saturday 4th July 1903

Murray Shaw - by: djb

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I was saddened to read in the latest Medal News of the passing of Murray Shaw. For many years I used to chat with Murray at his table where his medals were always mounted on card and displayed vertically. For a while he had the Forbes Elandslaagte group and we used to discuss the eligibility for the BWM.

In failing health, Murray ceased dealing and moved to the other side of the tables. I last met him at the OMRS in September when we enjoyed a brief catch up.

STRETCHER SECTION COMPETITION CUP - by: QSAMIKE

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Good Morning Everyone...…

Just spent three very tiring days at a Gun and Military Show here in Calgary...… Very disappointed with the number (only 2 QSA;s) and quality, (One was renamed) of the medals that I was looking for...… There were plenty of medals, badges and uniforms which were very nice but trying to find anything Boer War or South African is quite hard..... There was one interesting booth, Hunting Safari's to Namibia...… Lots of western items and of course cowboy items..... But I did not leave completely empty handed..... A side cap for the 16th Lancers and a Trivet…… Then an hour before the show ended along came a silver trophy..... Could not resist for a couple of reasons.....

STRETCHER SECTION COMPETITION CUP
Then The Red Cross
PRESENTED BY
SURGEON-MAJOR BIRKETT AND SURGEON LIEUTENANT YATES
1899

The shape of a Boer War period water bottle supported by three stretchers mounted on a wooden base with one award plaque.....
1900
WON BY
SQUAD NO. 2
CORP. ADAMS
PTE. ADAMS
PTE. BOON
PTE. JOHNSON

There was another award plaque but it is missing.......
I know that it is highly improbable but look at this thread also: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/9...bw-information#19647

Mike












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